SOUTHEAST DEBATE SQUAD WINS IN TOURNAMENT

The Southeast Missouri State University debate squad won several awards at the Governor's Classic Tournament held at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., Oct. 22-24.

Lesli Pace and Kim Sides combined to finish third in the varsity division of the tournament. The duo defeated teams from Vanderbilt, Cumberland and North Carolina-Charlotte before dropping a split decision to another Vanderbilt team in the semifinals.

Mike Easley and Vanessa Strazdas teamed to finish fifth in the division, missing the semifinals due to a tie-break system.

Additionally, judges awarded individual speaking awards to debaters based on the preliminary round ratings. Southeast captured three of the five awards, with Strazdas placing third, Sides fourth and Pace fifth among the 22 debaters in the varsity division.