Caitlin Walrath (left) and Jacob Goldschlag.

ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan finished among the top 16 debate teams nationwide at the recent 73rd National Debate Tournament in Minneapolis.

Seniors Caitlin Walrath, a psychology major, and Jacob Goldschlag, a political science major, lost in the Sweet 16 to the University of Georgia, which finished second at the annual tournament among 78 teams from 46 colleges and universities.

The U-M team had a 6-2 record in the preliminary rounds and entered the elimination rounds as the 11th seed.

“Caitlin and Jacob had a tremendous run at this year’s national championship. They’ve both had outstanding debate careers, including reaching the Final Four at last year’s tournament,” said U-M Debate director Aaron Kall.

“The debaters gave it their all, but unfortunately came up just short against a talented Georgia team. While Caitlin and Jacob will soon be graduating, the future of the program is very bright with numerous returning debaters and incoming recruits.”

The U-M Debate Team, which began in 1903, is one of the oldest debate programs in the United States. It has reached the elimination rounds at the National Debate Tournament for 13 straight years and made it to the Sweet 16 in each of the last seven years. The program is still seeking its first national championship after placing second four times in 1989, 1991, 2014 and 2015.