UofL’s debate and quiz bowl teams roll in spring tournaments

The University of Louisville’s debate team recently placed 20th in the country at the National Debate Tournament. Students Deontrey Yeargin (sophomore, Pan-African Studies) and Jahne Benthall (freshman, Criminal Justice) advanced to the single elimination bracket—a rare accomplishment for a freshman/sophomore duo.

Additionally, Yeargin ranked 26th of 156 total speakers. The team is coached by Tiffany Dillard-Knox, director of debate for the Malcolm X Debate Program and a part-time lecturer in the Department of Communication.

Meanwhile, UofL’s Quiz Bowl team, led by Matt Church (advising) and including students Luke McFarland (Biology), Luke Schroeder (Biology), Mohammed Hindi (Chemistry), Travis Liebert (Psychology), Thomas Rosbottom (Physics) and Zane Sanders (History), won both divisions at the Kentucky Collegiate Quick Recall League tournament at Eastern Kentucky University, which helped them to clinch the season title. This makes 15 of a possible 18 division titles since 2011 for UofL.

The Division I team of Eric Hahnert (Chemical Engineering) and Christian Vennemann (Sport Administration) went 6-0 at the tournament, with wins over EKU (twice), Cumberlands (twice), and Transylvania (twice) to finish first.

The DII team of Emily Beltchev (Bioengineering), Dylan Boone (Chemical Engineering), Luke McFarland (Biology), and Luke Schroeder (Biology) went 6-0 with wins over EKU (twice), Cumberlands (twice), and Jefferson CTC (twice) to finish first.

This year’s DI team includes Eric Hahnert (Chemical Engineering), Mohammed Hindi (Chemistry), Travis Liebert (Psychology), Thomas Rosbottom (Physics), Zane Sanders (History, and Christian Vennemann (Sport Administration). The team finish the league season with a 20-1 record.

This year’s DII team consisted of Emily Beltchev (Bioengineering), Dylan Boone (Chemical Engineering), Luke McFarland (Chemistry), and Luke Schroeder (Biology). The team finished the season with a perfect 19-0 record.

UofL also had four players named to the all-league team. Hahnert and Hindi were named to the Division I All League team. Beltchev and Boone were named to the Division II All League team.