Debaters Win Second PlaceNovember 23, 2004 Northwest University students made it all the way to the final round of the 74th annual Mahaffey Memorial debate and speech tournament at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon November 19 – 21. 252 top students from 16 colleges and universities -- including the University of Washington, Boise State, Oregon State, Humboldt State, Seattle University and the University of Oregon -- gathered for one of the nation's largest three day contest of wit and speaking skill. Topics were assigned twenty minutes before each round and included such controversies as national health care, withdrawing from Iraq, confirmation of Supreme Court nominees, elections in Afghanistan, and the death of Arafat. Congratulations to team captain Sara Boyd and her partner Nathan Chambers for winning second place in the 35 team junior division. Debating in favor of diplomacy to solve the crisis in North Korea, the pair lost to Carroll College, Montana, in the final round on a two to one decision of the three judges. In addition to wins and losses, each student is rated for speaking ability. Nathan Chambers ranked as the sixth best junior division debate speaker out of 70. Johanna Burch ranked as the 12 best junior debate speaker. There were six pre-elimination rounds and teams with at least a 4 win record advanced to the first octo-finals (top 16), followed by quarter finals, semi finals and finals. Northwest broke teams in all three divisions. Our open division team of Casey Digennaro and Jordan Goddard won an octo-finalist plaque. Mark Abbott and Robert Martin also won an award for reaching octo-finals in novice division. On Sunday morning the Northwest students led a chapel service for the tournament. About 20 debaters and coaches attended. Sara presented a devotional talk based on Psalms 100 and Casey Digennaro led the group in worship songs with his guitar. Judging for Northwest were assistant coach Mercy Novak and former team captain Megan Brinkman. |