NEWS

NEWBERRY, S.C. — The Newberry College Speech and Debate Team earned top placements during a multi-tournament competition weekend, Nov. 14–16, 2025. The team traveled to Huntington, West Virginia, for the Marshall University Memorial Tournament and to Athens, Ohio, for the Ohio University Back to Green Tournament. A total of 20 colleges and universities from nine states participated.

Newberry students competed against programs from institutions including Ohio University, Butler University, Belmont University, the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Murray State University and other regional contenders.

The team earned a combined 20 awards over the weekend. Newberry placed fifth in Division I overall sweepstakes at the Marshall University Memorial Tournament and fourth in overall sweepstakes at the Ohio University Back to Green Tournament.

The Newberry College competitors were:
Denim Morrison, Zy'Tavien Abrams, Juliana Hernandez, Jada Felder, Tamiya Mike, Riley Lobash, Ashley Peterson and Heather Ray.

Individual Awards

Marshall University Memorial Tournament

• Heather Ray — fourth place, poetry interpretation
• Riley Lobash — sixth place, duo interpretation; sixth place, poetry interpretation
• Ashley Peterson — sixth place, duo interpretation
• Denim Morrison — second place, informative speaking; second place, persuasive speaking; second place, communication analysis; fifth place, individual sweepstakes

Ohio University Back to Green Tournament

• Heather Ray — third place, poetry interpretation
• Riley Lobash — top novice and third place, duo interpretation; fifth place, poetry interpretation
• Ashley Peterson — top novice and third place, duo interpretation
• Denim Morrison — fourth place, impromptu speaking; fourth place, informative speaking; fourth place, persuasive speaking; fourth place, communication analysis

With these results, the Newberry College Speech and Debate Team has earned a total of 75 awards since the start of its 2025 competition season in late September.

The team will conclude its fall semester with a final tournament at Hofstra University in early December.

Learn more about Newberry College's Speech & Debate Team here.