By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News
PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University Wildcat Debate Team took the trophy in the novice division of the 2024 Mendoza Debate Tournament at Lee College in Baytown, Texas over the weekend.
Isabella McClendon, a sophomore social work major from West Monroe, took first place in the novice division, the largest division of the tournament.
This year’s tournament included debaters from 14 colleges and universities across the three divisions of novice, junior varsity and varsity. Forty-six students competed in the novice division.
“It was an amazing opportunity to get to represent our school and what we stand for at Lee College this past weekend,” McClendon said. “God blessed me with a super supportive team, and I’m excited to grow alongside them at future tournaments.”
Two other Wildcats Debaters made an amazing showing at their first debate tournament. Bailey Brown, a freshman nursing major from Bogalusa, and Eva Villamor, a sophomore mathematics major from Burgos, Spain, both went 3-3.
Wildcat Debate Coach Brian Manuel said he is proud of the team’s showing at the tournament. LCU fielded 10 competitors at this event.
“This is our favorite tournament to start the year,” Manuel said. “It allows returning debaters to get the rust off,” Manuel said. “I am proud of how the team came together and supported one another. I’m hopeful this fantastic start will catapult us to success all year.”
