Carthage High School students Caroline LaGrone and Brenden Selby have qualified for the 2026 UIL Cross-Examination (CX) State Tournament in Conference 4A, extending a streak that marks the fourth consecutive year the duo has advanced to the state level.
The UIL CX State Tournament for Conferences 4A, 5A and 6A is scheduled for March 20-21 at The University of Texas at Austin, headquartered in the University Teaching Center (UTC) building, according to UIL.
LaGrone also earned Top Speaker at the district competition for the fourth year in a row.
Camila Íñiguez and Shia Wallace were named state alternates after placing third at the district contest.
“Caroline and Brenden are extremely hard-working students,” said Abby Wilkerson, Carthage High School debate coach. “They have shown time and time again what it takes to make it to the next level. They have earned this spot through their dedication to both the team and the craft of debate itself. Caroline receiving the top speaker for all four years of high school is incredible and speaks to both her natural ability and love of the event. We are extremely proud of their hard work, dedication, and amazing talent.”
Carthage ISD congratulates these students on their achievement and wishes them the best as they prepare for the 2026 UIL CX State Tournament.