The University of Nevada, Reno recently announced the College of Liberal Arts’ Nevada Debate Team was awarded a prize at last month’s National Online Forensics Championships.
Hannah Branch, a first-year debater, took two prizes at the competition, which helped the team of five to qualify for the international tournament, according to a university press release.
Branch, a graduate of Wooster High School, separated herself from the competition during the elimination round of the International Public Debate Association where she went 4-0 and received three perfect scores from the judges to obtain the top seed, the release stated.
“Hannah’s final round performances were live streamed so that audiences could watch,” said Philip Sharp, debate team coach and forensics director in communication studies. “It made me proud to see those performances as they are the product of a season of hard work and commitment.”
Sharp said he is excited about the program’s success and looks forward to returning to in-person competitions, according to the release.
The National Online Forensic Medicine Championships featured 35 contestants from 16 institutions, the release stated. The event was offered virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UNR debate team tied San Diego State for fifth place behind Northern Illinois University, Bowling Green State University, Texas State University and Weber State University, according to the release.
