Caitlin Walrath and Jacob Goldschlag. Image credit: Aaron Kall

ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan can add another Final Four to its list of recent team achievements.

In addition to the men’s basketball and hockey teams, the U-M Debate Team made it into the Final Four at the National Debate Tournament, losing to Georgetown University in the semifinals.

The tournament, which featured 78 teams from 44 colleges and universities, began Friday at Wichita State University in Kansas.

U-M juniors Jacob Goldschlag, a political science major from Carlsbad, Calif., and Caitlin Walrath, a psychology major from Draper, Utah, went 5-3 in the eight preliminary debates, defeating teams from Wake Forest University, University of California-Berkeley, and University of Louisville en route to the Final Four.

“I’m proud of Jacob and Caitlin for finishing the year in the semifinals,” said U-M Debate director Aaron Kall. “I’m looking forward to them being back here next year to capture our first national title.”

Michigan also reached the Final Four in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

The U-M Debate Team, which began in 1890 and is one of the oldest debate programs in the United States, has reached the elimination rounds at the National Debate Tournament for 12 straight years, and at least the Sweet 16 for the last five years in a row. The program is still seeking its first national championship after placing runner-up four times in 1989, 1991, 2014 and 2015.

More information:

• Michigan Debate