Debate rakes in wins at Purdue and Western Kentucky
16 awards overall at Purdue; freshmen break to quarterfinal slots
Jancy Nightingale
Issue date: 10/1/09 Section: News
Fresh debaters, high goals and consistent victories gave the Hillsdale College debate team solid representation at their first two tournaments of the season, where they claimed top honors.
Assistant Professor of Speech Jeremy Christensen said he is pleased with their good progress thus far.
Senior Alexandria Carraher also noted the team's progress from their weekend wins.
"We're on our way to accomplishing the goals set out for us by the speech department," she said. "A lot of it's credit to our coaching."
At the initial competition hosted at Purdue University, Saturday Sept. 19, Hillsdale won debate sweepstakes over all and collectively brought home 16 awards.
Outstanding performances included senior Bryan Leonard and Carraher in the parliamentary style debate, who claimed victory over Cedarville University, and juniors Liv Wolcott and Will Cooney qualified in semi-finals. In the Lincoln-Douglas individual debate, a relatively new format for the team to participate in, junior Jake Morgan took third.
The new team of freshman Nassir Aboreden and sophomore Nathan Leveille made their debate debut, qualifying in Varsity quarters. Wolcott expressed delight over the addition of the freshmen's solid contribution to the squad.
"They're super enthusiastic, very hard working, and win quite a bit," she said.
At the second tournament in Western Kentucky University last Saturday, the team swept the competition, claiming first place in squad sweepstakes despite tough competition. Highlights comprised of novice team sophomores Stephen Davis and Ian Blodger taking third in semi-finals parliamentary, for varsity, partners junior Lee Anne LaPlue and sophomore Josiah Hersey accepted fifth, Wolcott and Cooney snagged fourth, and Morgan and Leonard claimed third.
Individual results included Cooney and Hersey taking fifth and fourth respectively in the Lincoln-Douglas debate, Wolcott recognized as second speaker overall, and Davis accepting fifth in the novice category.
The next competition, which Christiansen considers to be the extraordinarily difficult tournament of the season, takes place at McKendree University Oct. 9-11. Throughout the season, Christensen hopes to collect more individual and partner awards, but stressed the significance of team.
"It really is a squad effort. Our objective isn't individual success," he said.
But the team is still looking forward.
"Last year we made the goal to win the national championship and we did that," Christensen said.
Assistant Professor of Speech Jeremy Christensen said he is pleased with their good progress thus far.
Senior Alexandria Carraher also noted the team's progress from their weekend wins.
"We're on our way to accomplishing the goals set out for us by the speech department," she said. "A lot of it's credit to our coaching."
At the initial competition hosted at Purdue University, Saturday Sept. 19, Hillsdale won debate sweepstakes over all and collectively brought home 16 awards.
Outstanding performances included senior Bryan Leonard and Carraher in the parliamentary style debate, who claimed victory over Cedarville University, and juniors Liv Wolcott and Will Cooney qualified in semi-finals. In the Lincoln-Douglas individual debate, a relatively new format for the team to participate in, junior Jake Morgan took third.
The new team of freshman Nassir Aboreden and sophomore Nathan Leveille made their debate debut, qualifying in Varsity quarters. Wolcott expressed delight over the addition of the freshmen's solid contribution to the squad.
"They're super enthusiastic, very hard working, and win quite a bit," she said.
At the second tournament in Western Kentucky University last Saturday, the team swept the competition, claiming first place in squad sweepstakes despite tough competition. Highlights comprised of novice team sophomores Stephen Davis and Ian Blodger taking third in semi-finals parliamentary, for varsity, partners junior Lee Anne LaPlue and sophomore Josiah Hersey accepted fifth, Wolcott and Cooney snagged fourth, and Morgan and Leonard claimed third.
Individual results included Cooney and Hersey taking fifth and fourth respectively in the Lincoln-Douglas debate, Wolcott recognized as second speaker overall, and Davis accepting fifth in the novice category.
The next competition, which Christiansen considers to be the extraordinarily difficult tournament of the season, takes place at McKendree University Oct. 9-11. Throughout the season, Christensen hopes to collect more individual and partner awards, but stressed the significance of team.
"It really is a squad effort. Our objective isn't individual success," he said.
But the team is still looking forward.
"Last year we made the goal to win the national championship and we did that," Christensen said.
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