Written by: Julissa.Garcia@unt.edu
March 30, 2023

UNT Students named top speakers, All Americans and National Debate Scholars at Tournament

Denton, TX - The University of North Texas Debate Team has once again achieved great success at the annual Lincoln-Douglas Grand Prix, held this year in Denton, TX. The tournament, which took place from March 24-26, 2023, is one of the most prestigious debate competitions in the nation and attracts top debaters from universities across the country.

Competing against some of the most talented debaters in the country, the UNT Debate Team distinguished themselves with their excellent performances and impressive arguments. The team was represented by four debaters, Holden Bukowsky, Taylor Dougherty, Zachary Jones, and Joseph Wofford, who demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication throughout the tournament.

Joseph Wofford was named the Tournament's Top Speaker and continued into the quarterfinals along with Holden Bukowski. Zach Jones advanced the farthest in double-elimination debates. Winning nine debates, Jones advanced all the way to the semifinals where he was eventually defeated by Western Kentucky University's Andre Swai.

The Grand Prix also gives it season long awards in which Bukowsky was named an All American in debate and all four UNT students, Bukowsky, Dougherty, Jones, and Wofford were named National Debate Scholars based on their academic and competitive achievements.

Asynchronous Season Ends with UNT Ahead.

The same week, the UNT Speech students competed in the Asynchronous National Competition which was held virtually. Alai Snell was a semifinalist in Extemporaneous Speaking, Communication Analysis, and Persuasive Speaking.

"We are incredibly proud of our entire team for their outstanding performances at the Lincoln-Douglas Grand Prix and the Asynchronous Tournament," said Dr. Brian Lain, Director of Debate at the University of North Texas. "Their hard work and dedication have paid off in a big way, and their success is a testament to the exceptional talent and skill of our students."

The UNT Debate Team has a long history of success at the Lincoln-Douglas Grand Prix and the Virtual Tournaments, and this year's performance only reinforces their reputation as one of the top debate programs in the country. The team's success is a reflection of the university's commitment to providing students with the resources and support they need to excel in all areas of their academic pursuits.

This week, the team travels to Santa Ana, California for the American Forensic Association's National Speech Tournament.

About the University of North Texas:

The University of North Texas is a public research university located in Denton, Texas. With more than 40,000 students, UNT is one of the largest universities in the state of Texas, and is home to one of the top debate programs in the country. The university is committed to providing students with a world-class education that prepares them for success in their chosen careers.

For Grand Prix Press Release, see the attached document.