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Regent Undergraduate Debaters Crowned Champions at the Fearless Challenge Regional AMCA Tournament

Regent Undergraduate Debaters Crowned Champions at the AMCA Fearless Challenge Regional Tournament

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Nov. 14, 2024) – The Regent University undergraduate debate team won big at this year’s American Moot Court Association (AMCA) Fearless Challenge Regional tournament held at the University of Maryland on October 25-26. 

The tournament started off with 32 teams, including groups from Georgetown University, the University of Virginia and the University of Toronto. The students competed in simulated court proceedings, arguing hypothetical legal cases based on real-world issues. At the close of that challenge, two of Regent’s teams advanced to the narrowed Round of 16.

The panel of oral advocacy judges, which consists of professors and experienced legal professionals, evaluated the legal reasoning and argumentation skills, as well as the public speaking, critical thinking, and legal research skills during their final look at the debate contenders.

At the conclusion, it was Regent University’s team of Hannah Cavanaugh and Caleb Brown that took first place.

“We are incredibly proud of the showing of our entire team of debaters,” said Dr. Josh McMullen, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. “The work that each student put into preparing for this elite level of competition was impressive. It’s the team’s character and commitment to upholding the university’s legacy of excellence that helped them secure the win.”

In addition to the championship title, Regent also had student debaters who earned speaker awards:

3rd place: Hannah Cavanaugh

5th place: Caleb Brown

6th place: Ben McKay

The American Moot Court Association (AMCA) is the largest undergraduate appellate advocacy organization in the country. The AMCA Fearless Challenge Regional tournament is one of many regional and national competitions created to develop the legal and public speaking skills of undergraduate students.

About Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university, with more than 13,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study, including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University has been ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for 13 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2025).

To support the Royals Rise capital campaign for campus expansion, visit www.regent.edu/royalsrise.

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