Big Achievements For URDU in NYC and Ithaca

Over thirty students traveled to Ithaca, NY and New York, NY and debated this past weekend. Many students attended their first competition ever, and others returned to earn long-awaited victories at some tough tournaments.

At the New School in New York City, two Novice teams, a JV swing debater, and a Varsity team competed.

URDU after a strong performance in New York City.

For two of the novices, it was their first time competing. They hung in there until the end and learned a lot about debate. Tobi Abubakare placed as 2nd speaker at the tournament in Varsity, and went 5-1 with her partner Vitumbiko Kambilonje. For Vitumbiko, going Varsity was a considerable challenge after having only attended four tournaments prior to this one. He stepped up and debated hard in New York, also learning a lot. Tobi and Vitu finished as Semifinalists after winning one out of the three ballots in that close debate.

Meanwhile, in Ithaca, NY, some twenty-six debaters either debated or judged in the Novice National Championship division, Open division, and Spanish division.

Highlights that weekend include Warish Orko and Nabil Rahman reaching Quarterfinals out of a huge field of nearly 75 teams; Andres Ollarvez and Joel Britez – who jumped on the bus to Cornell to replace a debater who had to drop – ended as finalists in the Spanish-speaking division; and Graeme McGuire and Kate Zheng reached Semifinals in the Varsity division.

URDU showing off some hardware following a successful tournament at Cornell.

Individually, Graeme finished as 9th speaker in Varisty, Warish placed 4th speaker in Novice, Niki placed 16th speaker in Novice (out of 150 speakers!).  Also, Andres placed 6th in Spanish, and Bri Terrell was invited to judge elimination rounds for the first time.

After all these accomplishments, the URDU looks forward to even more success in two weeks in Washington, D.C. and Binghamton, NY, respectively. Also, look out for more news about our upcoming public debate in March! Meliora!