Samford University debaters and fellow Georgians Erin Ramsey and Logan Gramzinski defeated several top-ranked teams to win the recent John Carroll University tournament in Ohio. The three-day regional tournament ended Dec. 2.

The Samford pair defeated a nationally top-ranked Wayne State University team in the final round to claim the championship.

Ramsey, a junior political science major, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ramsey of Peachtree City.

Gramzinski, a sophomore pre-law major, is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Bill Gramzinski of Covington.

Ramsey and Gramzinski had defeated another Wayne State team in the semi-final round and a team from two-time national debate tournament champion Michigan State in the quarter finals. They won preliminary rounds against teams from seven-time national winner Northwestern University, last year’s overall top-ranked Liberty University, Michigan State and Wayne State.

Ramsey and Gramzinski were both ranked among the top 10 debaters out of the 46 individuals at the tournament.

The showing brought high praise from Samford director of debate and coach Ryan Galloway, who cited the team’s ability to travel 10 hours and defeat teams not seen in previous competition.

“It shows their ability to prepare on the spot and adapt to different circumstances,” said Galloway.