Published on January 9, 2023 by Ryan Galloway  
(Courtesy: Samford Debate)
(Courtesy: Samford Debate)

 At the Georgetown Â鶹ÊÓƵ  debate tournament held January 5-8, 2023, the Samford Junior Varsity Debate team of Abby Montgomery and Grace Scott placed second, defeating teams from the Â鶹ÊÓƵ of Texas San Antonio, Rochester Â鶹ÊÓƵ and the Â鶹ÊÓƵ of Georgia.  Montgomery was named tenth speaker of the tournament.

Director of Debate Lee Quinn said, “while most students were at home celebrating the holidays over the winter break, our students were succeeding at one of the most intellectually intense activities one can participate in.  I am proud of our debate students.” 

The varsity team of Joey Tarnowski and Aaron Gill also participated in the tournament, defeating teams from Harvard, Missouri State and the Â鶹ÊÓƵ of Kentucky. 

“Our debaters compete and defeat some of the best teams in the nation," Executive Director of Debate Ryan Galloway said. "Samford has a proud tradition of excellence in debate that today’s teams are continuing.” 

The varsity team of Grace Blackwell and TJ Riggs also competed, defeating Trinity Â鶹ÊÓƵ, Oakton Community College and the United States Naval Academy.

The team hosts high school teams from around the country this weekend at Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Bishop Guild debate tournament, before competing at the Indiana Â鶹ÊÓƵ debate tournament in two weeks.

Learn more about Samford Debate. 

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford is widely recognized as having one of the most beautiful campuses in America, featuring rolling hills, meticulously maintained grounds and Georgian-Colonial architecture. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.