SMU won a national title at the International Public Debate Association National Championship at Abilene Christian Unviersity. The tournament was host to 44 universities from 18 states. More than 300 undergraduate students competed at the tournament held April 8-11. More than 1,000 students competed nationwide in tournaments assessed by the IPDA organization since September of 2021. Two major types of awards were given: 1) season long award and 2) tournament award.
In Season long awards SMU won the following major awards:
- Eric Ryan was top novice speaker in the nation [national title]
- Ryan Booth was the second rated varsity debater in the nation
- Hailey Haven was the fourth rated novice debater in the nation
- Kaleb Simes was the fourth rated junior varsity debater in the nation
- In tournament awards SMU won the following major awards:
4th rated university overall in sweepstakes points [highest in school history]
- Ryan Booth was rated the second speaker in the varsity division [more than 100 students in that division]
- Brandt Vernon was a finalist and second place in the professional division
- Daniel Amoo was an octafinalist in novice debate [this was his first debate tournament in his life— an exceptional accomplishment]
- Eric Ryan and Kaleb Simes were junior varsity double octafinalists [100 students in that division]
- Taylor Enslin was a varsity double octafinalist
- Taylor Enslin and Ryan Booth were semifinalists in team debate
- Eric Ryan and Emma Waite were quarterfinalists in team debate
- Emma Waite was fourth speaker in professional division
Congratulations to all on a fantastic season!