Phuong Le
Contributing Writer
The University of Houston Forensics Team will host a swing tournament with Texas Tech University this weekend at Agnes Arnold Hall.
Over 140 individuals from Texas schools including Rice University, The University of Texas and St. Mary's University will compete in this "Spring Break-Out" tournament.
Rice, Texas Tech and UH are the three top-ranked teams in the state.
"This will be one of the most competitive tournaments in Texas because the best of the best are competing," said Chris Aspidal, the UH Forensics coach.
Friday's portion of the competition will consist of six rounds of debate from 1 to 10 p.m., with approximately 30 teams competing.
Elimination rounds will consist of octafinals, in which the top eight teams participate; semifinals, which include the top four teams; and the finals round, in which the top two teams compete.
Saturday and Sunday will consist of individual events in public speaking from 7:30 a.m. until noon, with categories including informative, persuasive and after-dinner speaking, communication analysis, impromptu and extemporaneous speaking.
UH will present awards Saturday night, while Texas Tech will present awards for the second portion of the competition Sunday.
"The UH Forensic Team just came back from the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association's state tournament held in Lubbock at Texas Tech, but they still have the motivation that is consistent with the spirit of representing UH," said Assistant Coach Jason Cryer.
Everyone is invited to watch and support the UH team this weekend, and the team is looking for new members. For more information, call (713) 743-3229.