The Samford debate team won first place at the JW Patterson Tournament hosted by the University of Kentucky this past weekend. In the novice division, the partnership of Lexi Bush and Kelly Reyes claimed first place, with Bush named Top Speaker and Reyes finishing as the 5th overall speaker.

In the varsity division, the team of Laurel Pack and Aaron Gill secured a key win, defeating Dartmouth in five rounds, adding to the team’s overall success.

“This performance by our debaters is a credit to alum Grace Blackwell, who returned to coach and work directly with the novices,” said Lee Quinn, director of debate. “Kelly is a first-year student who has demonstrated immense potential in debate, while Lexi, a transfer from Birmingham-Southern, has already proven she is one of the top novice debaters in the nation.”

Reflecting on her experience in the tournament, Bush emphasized the impact debate has had on her academic journey.

“Debate has been such a significant part of my experience because it sharpens my critical thinking skills and makes academic challenges easier to tackle,” said Bush. “Whether it’s analyzing evidence or working through a calculus problem, debate has strengthened my ability to approach complex tasks with confidence.”

Reyes, who is new to debate, shared her excitement about the growth she has experienced.

“I began working on debate over the summer, and my personal growth has been incredible,” said Reyes. “It’s not just about improving in competition—it’s about expanding how I think and process information. It’s mentally demanding, but the challenge is so rewarding and fun.”

The team looks forward to continuing their success throughout the season, with upcoming tournaments scheduled for later this fall.