Debaters Shine at the University of Puget Sound Tournament
10/30/2008
McKendree University debaters turned in an excellent performance Oct. 24-26 at the University of Puget Sound (UPS) tournament in Tacoma, Wash., advancing to final rounds in the open portion after winning top speaker at the prestigious round robin. Thirteen colleges and universities participated, including the University of California at Berkeley, University of Oregon and University of Colorado.
Sophomore Amanda Ataiyan and junior Cory Freivogel, both of Belleville, received a bid to compete in UPS’s elite Zittel round robin. After defeating Lewis and Clark College, they defeated Western Washington University, the eventual tournament champions, in a debate where they argued that U.S. missile defense systems should be removed from Poland and the Czech Republic. Freivogel was also recognized as the top speaker in the round robin.
In the open tournament, sophomore Whitney Baillie, of Belleville, and junior Josie Wiegel, of Monticello, posted a 4-2 record, advancing to octofinals. They lost a close decision to the University of California at Berkeley, where they argued the U.S. should increase its support for the World Health Organization’s flu vaccine initiatives. Ataiyan and senior Becky Lindstrom, of Rockford, finished with an even record, just missing the break to octofinals.
“I’m really proud of Josie, Whitney, Amanda, and Becky,” said Freivogel, team captain. “They worked really hard both before and during the tournament. They proved this weekend that they’re serious contenders for a bid to the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence.”
McKendree will next host and compete in the first annual Richard Hunsaker Invitational on Nov. 14-16. Faculty, staff, students and members of the community are welcome to attend.
-McK-
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