Spring Break
Debaters win sweepstakes at Wheaton tournament
Liz Klimas
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News
Hillsdale College debate took first place sweepstakes, topping their rivals Grove City College and Cedarville University at the prestigious Wheaton College Tournament last weekend, highlighting a successful trip to the Chicago area.
"Overall they did very well," Debate Coach and Assistant Professor of Speech Jeremy Christensen said. "To do what the team has done at Wheaton brings them recognition and respect [from other schools] and lets people know they can do it."
Three teams made it to Wheaton outrounds. Sophomore Bryan Leonard and Ali Carraher placed second. Freshmen Olivia Wolcott and Will Cooney made semifinals and freshmen Liz Essley and Lee Anne LaPlue were quarterfinalists.
"This might be the first time we got three teams to outrounds this year," said debater Ben Wynia, a junior. "Wheaton is a big tournament because we see so many different teams there."
Other debaters competed at the Harper College tournament, which they said assigned odd debate topics such as "Beer is preferable to wine," and "Make love not war."
Sophomores Matt Stone and Sarah Howard broke to quarterfinals at Harper for the first time as a pair in parliamentary debate, but lost that round in a 2-1 decision.
In parliamentary debate, each team is assigned a supporting or opposing position on a resolution. They are then given 15 minutes to prepare with their coach before beginning the debate.
Debater and junior James Wegmann described the rivalry with Grove City College and Cedarville University intense as a West Side Story gang sing-off.
"We look for any chance we can get to beat Cedarville and Grove City," he said.
Stone said both schools are small and conservative like Hillsdale, making them "inherent" rivals.
While rivalries add to the competitive atmosphere in debate tournaments, Hillsdale debaters keep a clear view of their goal.
"We go to have fun, hopefully win and enjoy being at a debate round with a good team," Stone said. "We do play to win, though. We don't like losing."
The team looks forward to their state tournament to be hosted at Hillsdale from Feb. 28 to March 1.
"This past weekend was a good sign for our teams," Stone said. "We've seen a lot of progress."
Christensen said he expects Hillsdale debaters to win the state tournament, though he expects competition will be tighter this year.
"Overall they did very well," Debate Coach and Assistant Professor of Speech Jeremy Christensen said. "To do what the team has done at Wheaton brings them recognition and respect [from other schools] and lets people know they can do it."
Three teams made it to Wheaton outrounds. Sophomore Bryan Leonard and Ali Carraher placed second. Freshmen Olivia Wolcott and Will Cooney made semifinals and freshmen Liz Essley and Lee Anne LaPlue were quarterfinalists.
"This might be the first time we got three teams to outrounds this year," said debater Ben Wynia, a junior. "Wheaton is a big tournament because we see so many different teams there."
Other debaters competed at the Harper College tournament, which they said assigned odd debate topics such as "Beer is preferable to wine," and "Make love not war."
Sophomores Matt Stone and Sarah Howard broke to quarterfinals at Harper for the first time as a pair in parliamentary debate, but lost that round in a 2-1 decision.
In parliamentary debate, each team is assigned a supporting or opposing position on a resolution. They are then given 15 minutes to prepare with their coach before beginning the debate.
Debater and junior James Wegmann described the rivalry with Grove City College and Cedarville University intense as a West Side Story gang sing-off.
"We look for any chance we can get to beat Cedarville and Grove City," he said.
Stone said both schools are small and conservative like Hillsdale, making them "inherent" rivals.
While rivalries add to the competitive atmosphere in debate tournaments, Hillsdale debaters keep a clear view of their goal.
"We go to have fun, hopefully win and enjoy being at a debate round with a good team," Stone said. "We do play to win, though. We don't like losing."
The team looks forward to their state tournament to be hosted at Hillsdale from Feb. 28 to March 1.
"This past weekend was a good sign for our teams," Stone said. "We've seen a lot of progress."
Christensen said he expects Hillsdale debaters to win the state tournament, though he expects competition will be tighter this year.
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