Minneapolis, MN – (Feb 4, 2022) Over the course of three days the University of Minnesota Debate Team hosted their annual debate tournament on the weekend of January 28-30. The tournament provided an opportunity for seventy-eight 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 eleven Open, top three Junior Varsity, and top five Novice teams advanced based on the results from the preliminary rounds.
The Novice division showcased competitors with little to no experience in debate and cleared to a partial Quarterfinal round featuring teams from Boston College, George Mason University, James Madison University, Samford University, and the University of Miami. The Final Round saw a 3-0 victory for third seeded Abby Harlow & Roy Rinehart from James Madison over fifth seeded Ian McNabb & Caleb Wachsmuth from Boston College. Jeffrey Fuchs from George Mason was recognized as the Top Speaker of the division.
The Junior Varsity division showcased competitors with little to no experience in debate and held a partial Semifinal round featuring teams from George Mason University, the University of Houston, and the University of Minnesota. The Final Round saw third seeded Thea Munson & Nyah Rudd from Minnesota defeat Vincent Buonaspina & Adam Rizzoli from George Mason on a 2-1 decision. Jenna Goodrich from Houston 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 Octafinal round featuring teams from Binghamton University, Grinnell College, Samford University, the University of Iowa, the University of Kansas, the University of Minnesota, and the University Pittsburgh. The Final Round saw Jimin Park & Jet Semrick lockout with their teammates Jacob Wilkus & Ethan Harris from Kansas. In addition to winning the tournament Jimin Park from Kansas was recognized as the Top Speaker of the division.
The tournaments marked the nineth tournament of the Spring competitive season and provided a total of eight thousand minutes of speaking time for undergraduate students. Students engaged in a minimum of two debates in favor of the resolution and two 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.