Debaters Flock to Mississippi College

Merle Ziegler

Scores of debaters will soon flock to Mississippi College to sharpen their verbal sparring skills.

The college students will travel to the 14^th annual Deep South Debate on the Clinton campus. The event is set for December 1-2.

Last year, 70 debaters from ten universities made the trip to the Mississippi College tournament. They participated in novice, junior varsity, varsity and professional competition.

Mississippi College debaters are expected to face their counterparts from visiting schools in states like Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.

Schools that participated in recent years include: the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Arkansas-Monticello, East Texas Baptist University and LSU-Shreveport. Mississippi State University’s team came to the MC tournament last year for the first time and return again in early December.

Communication professor Merle Ziegler serves as the debate team coach. His Blue & Gold squad will be well-prepared to discuss a barrage of timely topics – from across the USA and around the world. Debate topics typically include economics, politics, sports and international affairs, Ziegler said.

The debate coach is signing up volunteer judges from metro Jackson to help with the December competition held at the university’s academic buildings.

The Mississippi College debate team recently turned in solid performances at the Red River Classic tournament at Louisiana State University-Shreveport.

Results show MC earned three octofinalist trophies, two quarter-finalist trophies and one finalist. William Moore of Alexandria, Virginia, the university’s best finisher, ended with an impressive 9-2 record. MC debaters Jo Doucette of Magnolia, Miss. and Moore earned fourth and third-place speaker awards.

Several other Mississippi College debaters made the trip to the Bayou State. Others included: Christian Wear, Creed Hendrickson, Warren Tripp, and Muriel Collins. Collins of Union, Miss. and Wear of Abita Springs, Louisiana finished the competition as quarterfinalists.

For details, contact Merle Ziegler at 601-925-3456 or mziegler@mc.edu