Wiley University Debaters Bring Home Prizes from Rice University Classic Swing

Group shot of Wiley University debate team members holding trophies
The team earned second place overall 

“The Great Debaters” of UNCF-member institution Wiley University rounded out their opening month of competition by winning the second place overall prize at two tournaments at Rice University, Sept. 28-30. The team earned second place overall at the annual Rice University Classic Swing. Wiley’s debaters also earned the second place overall price at a tournament hosted by Rice University Alumni. Other schools that competed at the tournaments included  The University of Texas-Austin, Lone Star College-North Harris, University of Texas-El Paso, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, University of the Pacific, Rice University and Tyler Community College.

Earlier in the month, the Wiley University debate kicked off its 2018-2019 season by earning top prizes, including second place overall, at the prestigious Alexis Elliott Memorial Round Robin Tournament, a by-invitation-only Lincoln-Douglas debate competition that is held annually at Western Kentucky University.

From left are Maliq Wright, Rahmane Dixon, Dimitri Brooks, Emmanuela Wade, Jaylen Bolden, and Louis Mendez, kneeling.
From left are Maliq Wright, Rahmane Dixon, Dimitri Brooks, Emmanuela Wade, Jaylen Bolden, and Louis Mendez, kneeling.

The results of each student at the Rice University Tournaments are:

  • Rahmane Dixon, a sophomore from Houston, placed 5th in Extemporaneous Speaking, 5th in Impromptu Speaking, and 1st in Persuasion at the Rice tournament, as well as taking 1st in Persuasion at the Alumni tournament.
  • Louis Mendez, a junior from Houston, placed 3rd in Program Oral Interpretation and 5th in Informative at the Rice tournament, and took 5th in Informative and 3rd in Program Oral Interpretation at the Alumni tournament.
  • Jaylon Bolden, a junior from Houston, placed 1st in Program Oral Interpretation and 6th in Prose at the Rice tournament; as well as taking 4th in Prose and 2nd in Program Oral Interpretation at the Alumni tournament.
  • Dimitri Brooks, a junior from Houston, placed 3rd in Persuasion and 2nd in Prose at the Rice tournament; he earned 2nd in Prose and 4th in Persuasion at the Alumni tournament.
  • Maliq Wright, a senior from Houston, placed 3rd in Informative at the Rice tournament, and 6th in Informative at the Alumni tournament.
  • Emmanuela Wade, a junior from Atlanta, GA, placed 3rd in Prose and 4th in Dramatic Interpretation at the Rice tournament; as well as 2nd in Dramatic Interpretation 1st in Poetry at the Alumni tournament.