WUDL gets to send 6 teams to Middle School Nationals. Four are chosen via competition (noted in this previous post), and two via application, chosen by WUDL staff considering their words, their season long accomplishments, and their hard work and dedication. 

We’re excited to announce the final two qualifiers for Middle School Nationals 2024. 

Eliot Hine: Rohan Young and Bobby Thorn

Eliot Hine is a second year debate team, founded only last year by Librarian Ashleigh Rose and volunteer Kristina Crump. The team has thrived, competing in all four divisions and having their first students participate in Travel Tournaments. Rohan and Bobby have been the most hungry and most advanced debaters on the team, going to camp this summer, writing their own case about LGBTQ rights, and advancing to elimination rounds at several regional JV tournaments. They are extremely hard working, and will be excellent representatives of the league. 

Hardy: Emilio Velez and Jack Graber

Hardy debate hosted the first middle school national tournament, but until last year, hadn’t had a qualifier since. Emilio has debated for three years, often as a maverick without a partner. He went to JV last year and took a lot of lumps, losing many rounds in the first semester, but was a strong leader on the team, recruiting and training a number of new debaters. This year, he and Jack have really gone above and beyond. They’ve done groundbreaking research, writing a powerful critique about Christian Nationalism that is among the most creative I’ve heard in a decade. They’ve also been to some regional tournaments and had some success. 

Special shouts: 

Coaches Crump and Rose (Eliot Hine) and Givens and Schweitzer (Hardy) for doing a great job helping their students get to this point. Both have run excellent programs, with these young folks as the tip of the iceberg. 

Stay tuned for Middle School Nationals May 4th and 5th!