UR Debate Completes Across New York State, Brings Home Some Big Wins

This past weekend the Worlds crew debated at the Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY and the Policy crew traveled to the US Military Academy in West Point, NY. Both groups had some big successes along with all of that great fall foliage in Central New York and the Hudson Valley!

L-R: The HWS crew poses for a photo after two long days of debating; The URDU debaters at the US Military Academy overlooking the Hudson.

In Geneva, NY a large group of both new and experienced debaters competed at the Hobart and William Smith Fall Classic Tournament. Ben Frazer and Graeme McGuire entered elimination rounds as the 3rd seed with a former US finalist team breaking just above them. Ultimately they narrowly lost to that team, finishing as semi-finalists. Ben Frazer also went home with the 3rd speaker award. New team member Derick Rossell also finished the 6th best novice speaker at the tournament. Sarah Hofmann broke as a judge once again and was asked to judge one of the semi-final rounds. Even those teams who didn’t advance to elimination rounds – including some who got very close to breaking – found the tournament constructive and look forward to more success at the upcoming Vermont tournament.

Ben Frazer poses with his 3rd speaker award.

In West Point, NY, Margeaux Kelly and Matthew Lyskawa competed hard and made it all the way to novice quarterfinals at this extremely challenging tournament. Matthew also finished as 10th speaker. Also a significant achievement, Cedric Bonsol finished as the 3rd best speaker in the junior varsity division. These debaters also look forward to competing at Vermont in two weeks, and Cedric looks forward to his trip to Boston this weekend to participate in the highly competitive Harvard debate tournament. 

L-R: Matthew Lyskawa with his 10th novice speaker award and partner Margeaux Kelly; Dan Gomez with partner Cedric Bonsol as he displays his 3rd speaker award. 

With that Vermont trip on the horizon the URDU is spending this week sharpening skills and catching up on research work. Stay tuned for more good debate news!