The college’s debate team hosted the 31st annual Jack Lynch Debate Tournament on November 4th. Teams from 10 colleges and universities attended the online tournament. The tournament is named after Professor John Lynch who started the team in 1948 and coached for 46 years. In addition to our own team, students from Hofstra University, Bowdoin College, Dutchess Community College, Dordt University, Queens College, Texas Tech University, Tulsa Community College, University of Central Missouri, and Virginia State University competed.
The tournament champion in varsity debate was Anthony Walters (’25) from St. Anselm College who won the Final round against the University of Central Missouri. Also, Kellan Barbee (’26) reached the Semifinal round in varsity debate. In addition, the team won numerous speaker awards including 2nd place to Bella Uva (’26), 4th place to Anthony Walters, and 5th place to James Maloney (’24). The team was grateful for the help of debate alumni who helped with the judging: Jeffrey Dinopoulos (’00) and Lily-Gre Hitchen (’18).
In team sweepstakes (combined results from varsity debate, novice debate and extemporaneous speaking), first place went to the University of Central Missouri, second place to Virginia State University and third place to St. Anselm College.
The team concluded its fall competition schedule by traveling to Bowling Green State University in Ohio the weekend of November 18th and competing at the 82nd annual Falcon Classic. In varsity debate, Nathanial Crane (’24) reached the semifinal round and in novice debate, Brigid Hughes (’26) also reached the semifinal round. The team took home 2nd place overall Sweepstakes in Debate. This was awarded based on the performance of the whole team, including Sean Kelleher (’24), Alexander Burgess (’24), Bella Uva (’26) and Tony Walters (’25).
The team also competed at a speech tournament in October and entered a new event called Media Broadcasting, in which students receive a package of news stories and have 30 minutes to prepare a 5-mintue (exactly five-minute) broadcast. Congratulations to Nolan Howard (’25) who placed 3rd in that event.
In addition to the above students mentioned, students actively participating on the team this semester include Eliana Romero (’27), Keegan Carter (’27), Trie Yale (’24), Sean Doucet (’24) and Lucas Edwards (’24).
This fall semester, the team helped put on two participatory public debates. The team co-hosted a debate in September with the Institute of Politics on Climate Change. The debate was held in front of four current US Governors, including Gov. Sununu. In November, the team hosted another participatory debate on the topic of AI.
Next semester the team will travel to Cornell University and compete in several online tournaments, plan to hold three more public debates, including a debate as part of the MLK Jr. Program of Events, and teach a course in debate to local high school students as part of the Access Academy program. The team is always open to new students who are interested. Please feel free to contact the coach, David Trumble, for more information at [email protected].