Seawolf debaters repeat as champions of the U.S. Universities Open Tournament

For the second straight year, the Seawolf Debate Team opened its season by winning the U.S. Universities Open hosted by Claremont McKenna College in Los Angeles, CA.
 
On Oct. 1-3, 10 UAA debaters traveled to southern California to kick off the squad's season.

There were 88 debaters representing 15 institutions of higher learning at this year's tournament.
 
Over the course of the weekend, the debaters engaged other students from across the U.S. on topics as varied as whether or not we should end birthright citizenship, whether human-caused environmental catastrophes should be classified as crimes against humanity and whether labor unions should be denied the right to strike.
 
After eight grueling preliminary rounds of competition, all five of UAA's teams finished in the top third of competition.

Of those, three advanced to the semifinal round of competition. Earning semifinal honors were the teams of Brett Frazer (junior) and Amy Parrent (sophomore), and Drew Cason (senior, environment and society) and Sarah Carpenter (junior, culinary arts). Further distinguishing themselves was the team of Colin Haughey (senior, philosophy) and Michaela Hernandez (senior, philosophy) whose performance in the semifinal round earned them a spot in the championship round.



In the final, Haughey and Hernandez squared off against competitors from Loyola Marymount University who had, in previous years, advanced to the elimination rounds at the World Universities Debating Championships. The teams in the final round argued whether or not Pakistani sovereignty should be protected against NATO military operations. The Seawolf debaters laid out a compelling case regarding the indiscriminate operations of the U.S. and NATO forces in Pakistan, arguing that these operations jeopardize our relations with a crucial ally in the region and further delegitimize the Pakistani government and military. The strength of their arguments held off attacks from their opponents and the judging panel declared Haughey and Hernandez tournament champions.
 
The team next travels to the University of Toronto for the Hart House Intervarsity tournament. The team is focused on preparation for the eventual World Championships, to be held in Botswana over the holiday break.

For more information, please contact Steve Johnson (907) 786-4391 or Shawn Briscoe (907) 786-4354.