Members of the Bellarmine Debate Team experienced the first league tournament of the year the weekend of October 2. Although the tournament competitions were virtual, Bellarmine debaters gathered as a team on campus so they could be together between rounds. ”The energy was great throughout the day as the students got to strategize with each other in person, hear hype up speeches from our seniors, and experience awards together – for our sophomores, this was their first in-person tournament,” noted Aaron Langerman ’11, head Speech and Debate coach.
Langerman reported that “an astoundingly low number” of total undefeated teams across the board from all schools during the tournament earned a wildcard spot in the State Qualifying tournament in March.
In Policy Debate, there were only two undefeated teams: the Bellarmine team of Ben Manens ’22 and Nimai Talur ’22 and a Leland team. In Lincoln-Douglas, there were four undefeated teams: the Bellarmine debaters of Devansh Bansal ’22 and Peter Ly ’23, as well as two Leland debaters.
The next league tournaments occur in two weeks with double the number of students competing.
Congratulations to the Bells and Speech and Debate coaches Aaron Langerman ’11, DeeDee Sullivan, Matt DeLateur ‘12, and Vern Cleary.