The Pennsbury Falcon is the last stop for WUDL’s Travel Team before Nationals. This tournament, located in exurban Philadelphia, is a unique challenge for our students, both due to the absence of judge preferences (I am personally a fan), and a shorter schedule – you’ve got to get going fast, there isn’t forgiveness for a bad round here. 

It is also a tournament that WUDL historically has done very well at, including winning this tournament last season, winning it’s JV Division in year’s past, and generally bringing home a host of mugs and other swag each season. 

As the last tournament in the schedule, it is also the tournament we take a lot of the next generation of debaters to first. Who had a good season, and is ready to figure out the next level? Who wants to Travel seriously next season, but hasn’t done so yet? We intentionally make space for new regional competitors at this competition. 

While a bit of snow, sleet, and icey concrete made the theory of the trip a bit tricky, the roads were clear, and the bus didn’t even have to take out too many snow drifts to get everyone fed. 

WUDL had 5 teams advance to elimination rounds: 

BASIS DC Jack and Margaret, who lost in semi-finals and BASIS DC Sitara and Daniella, who advanced to quarters and lost on tough 2-1 decisions in Varsity. This is BASIS AS’s 5th ToC Bid, while CM missed their 4th by a ballot, both WUDL records that will likely stand a while. 

Banneker’s Kayla and Nubia, and Oyster Adam’s Xander and Berrin who both went to semi-finals, Zeve and Ian, who lost in Quarterfinals in JV. 

Kayla, Berrin, Jack, and Margaret also got individual speaker awards. 

Shout outs:

MacFarland’s Emma and Julian, KIPP DC’s Mickayla and Robyn, on their school’s first regional competition ever

Charles Flower’s Noah and Frank, Stuart Hobson’s Max and Abby, DCI’s Zaire, Marianna, and Josh, and Banneker’s Nubia on their first regional competitions ever (plus MacFarland and KIPP DC, above)

Seniors Sitara, Daniella, William, Marie-Celeste (Walls) for their last regional (outside of Nationals). 

Jonathan Gonzalez, Kailey Ramlal, Clarke Dickens, Parker McCauley, Steve Pierson, Darin Eberhardt, and Eric Clarke for their assistance as judges and coaches this weekend! 

Jeff, Kaz, and the other Pennsbury folks for being great hosts! 

Come out and join us Feb. 7th for the White and Case Invitational at KIPP DC Shaw!