Annapolis, MD – (Jan 20, 2022) The United States Naval Academy hosted their annual debate tournament on the weekend of January 15-17. The tournament provided an opportunity for one hundred twelve competitors from sixteen states the opportunity to compete in three divisions of debate, Novice, Junior Varsity and Varsity.
The tournament featured six preliminary rounds of competition, where students argued on both sides, on the topic “Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase prohibitions on anticompetitive business practices by the private sector by at least expanding the scope of its core antitrust laws”. Followed by a single elimination tournament where the top seventeen Open, top four Junior Varsity, and top six Novice teams advanced based on the results from the preliminary rounds.
The Novice division showcased competitors with little to no experience in debate and held a partial Quarterfinal round featuring teams from George Mason University, Indiana University, and the United States Military Academy. The Final Round saw second seeded Ankita Bhurtel & Alysa Yalch from George Mason defeat Malea Floyd & Zane Kierzyk from Indiana on a 2-1 decision. In addition to being a Finalist Zane Kierzyk from Indiana was recognized as the Top Speaker of the Division.
The Junior Varsity division showcased competitors with limited experience in debate and cleared to a Semifinal round featuring teams from Cornell University, Liberty University, the United States Naval Academy, and Wayne State University. The Final Round saw a 3-0 victory for third seeded Devansh Jotsinghani & Richard Li from Cornell defeated top seeded Cannon Breen & Sara Perkins from Navy. In addition to being a Finalist Cannon Breen from Navy was recognized as the Top Speaker of the Division.
The Open division is the highest level of competition in CEDA debate and cleared to a partial Double Octafinals featuring teams from Columbia University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Gonzaga University, Liberty University, Missouri State University, Northeastern University, Northwestern University, the University of Michigan, the University of Minnesota, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Wyoming, Wake Forest University, and Washington University in St. Louis. The Final round saw a 2-1 victory for the swing team of Evan Alexis & Amadea Datel from Washington University and Columbia Respectively over Zidao Wang & Adam White from Georgetown. Maya El-Sharif from UPenn was recognized as the Top Speaker of the Division.
The tournament marked the fifth tournament of the Spring competitive season and provided a total of twelve thousand minutes of speaking time for undergraduate students. Students engaged in a minimum of three debates in favor of the resolution and three opposed, requiring them to test their hours of research and preparation on both sides of the topic. The format enables students to build skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
About CEDA
Cross Examination Debate Association was founded in 1971. CEDA is currently responsible for formulating the annual intercollegiate policy debate topic used in tournament competition throughout the nation. Throughout the season, CEDA calculates National Sweepstakes Standings, the national and regional rankings of member institutions based on compiled tournament results.