Debate Tournaments aren’t normally known for the view, but that was just one of the many joys for students and judges alike at the season opener this past weekend. 

We’d like to thank our wonderful hosts at Deloitte for the space and the hospitality. Jamari and her team got us throughout the building quickly and efficiently during the day, and the planning was a breeze. The locale couldn’t be beat, and a huge shout out to the volunteers on the Deloitte side that came to help. We hope this will be a successful test-drive for our National Qualifier in February. 

There was lots of competitive excitement as well: 

• Hart Middle School made their WUDL debut, winning trophies in their debut. Coach Fletcher has already made her mark as one of the newest members of the WUDL community
• Duke Ellington made their WUDL return, 8 years after winning several tournaments in our first season. The new squad, despite starting to learn about being negative just three days before the competition, did quite well, bringing home many trophies in their first tournament back. 
• We are also excited to welcome Forrest Park High School. A former BUDL member, the team is excited to find a new place to compete after their collapse. 

In Varsity, BASIS DC was the team to beat, with 3 of the top 4 teams. The speed that several of their students have adapted from JV is quite impressive, Coach Yigletu should be proud. 

BASIS DC beat Stuart Hobson at Middle School Nationals the last two years, but this isn’t the last we’ve heard of the rivalry — Webster / Neuroth went 3-1, getting 2nd place and beating several BASIS DC teams. 

We also want to shout out Kettering for advancing to Varsity for the first time, and Forest Park for finishing 8th overall. 

In JV, a few teams have made it clear that they’ll move up soon. Hardy’s Velez / Blanc (1st Place), CMIT North’s Mbaye / Abass, DuVal’s Olurunfemi / Abiola, and College Park’s Agbor / Onyilofor all impressed and are likely ready for a greater challenge. 

In Novice, DuVal claimed the top two spots. Coach Price is eager to increase the team’s competitiveness, so keep an eye out for his teams this season. Dr. Arndt had 62 novices at her first interest meeting. Six of them just won their first awards, as did O’Brien and Papantomakis from Duke Ellington. 

In Rookie, a whole host of teams had great first debates, including 3 Hobson teams, 3 Kettering teams, and students from Hart, DCI, and MoVi. We are so proud of them stepping up and speaking for the first time 

Big shout out to the Advisory Board’s Katie Proch, who learned the ropes of Tabulation this weekend, and to all of the other volunteers who make our work possible. 

We’ll see you on the 28th at Capital City!