GSW finishes fourth at USG Regents Cup Debate; Senior Miller named Top Speaker

AMERICUS, Ga. (April 17, 2026) — Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) delivered a standout performance at the 2026 University System of Georgia (USG) Regents Cup Debate Tournament, finishing fourth overall out of 16 competing institutions and earning second place within the state college and university sector.

The tournament was held April 14–15, 2026, at Columbus State University, bringing together 31 debaters from across the USG. The University of West Georgia claimed the Regents Cup with the top overall team performance. Valdosta State University finished second and Middle Georgia State University placed third. GSW’s fourth-place finish was highlighted by individual and team accomplishments that set the program apart.

Competing against perennial debate powerhouses such as the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, the GSW team delivered victories against both programs, demonstrating that smaller institutions in the University System are fully capable of competing at the highest level.

“I am very proud of the work of the team,” said Jonathan Carter, Ph.D., associate professor of communication and emerging media at GSW and the team’s coach. “Their hard work and dedication shows that smaller schools in the system, like GSW, are capable of competing with the best any USG school has to offer.”

Noah Miller, senior fine arts major from Macon, capped his collegiate debate career with an exceptional showing, advancing to the semi-finals and earning the distinction of Top Speaker at the tournament for the highest quality-point score among all 31 competitors. 

“This year’s Regents Cup was a great way to wrap up my time in collegiate debate,” Miller said. “I made many new friends … Each person taught me something new about the world, and my teammates and coach taught me new things about establishing work ethic and focus. I appreciate the Regents for endorsing and supporting this highly educational and communally driven event.” 

Emery Evans, sophomore history major from Albany, contributed two critical round victories that proved essential to GSW’s fourth place finish. 

“Coming back to the USG Regents Cup and debating some familiar faces as well as some newcomers was exponentially beneficial to everyone involved,” Evans stated. “I am very proud of my entire team, especially my fellow GSW debater, Noah Miller, for advancing to the semi-finals.”

Libbie Karrick, sophomore psychology major from Sylvester, served as the team’s alternate, providing support through preparation and research throughout the competition.

“The Regents Cup has been an enjoyable and educational experience,” Karrick said. “I gained a deeper appreciation for different debating styles, the importance of organized notes and credible sources, and understanding different perspectives. These are foundational skills that will benefit me in my future career, and I would highly encourage others to participate in this annual event.”