Seawolf debaters make strong showing in prestigious tournament

The UAA Seawolf Debate Program made its presence known at the 2011 Hart House Intervarsity debate tournament, hosted by University of Toronto and regarded as one of the most competitive debating tournaments in North America. This year's tournament featured 65 teams from around the U.S. and Canada.

In a historical first for UAA as a Hart House tournament participant, two Seawolf teams advanced to the elimination rounds to compete in a field of 12 teams. Following five preliminary rounds, the team of Colin Haughey (senior, Philosophy) and Drew Cason (senior, Environment & Society) were the eighth seed and the team of Amie Stanley (senior, Political Science) and Sarah Carpenter (senior, Culinary Arts) were the 11th seed.

The debaters tackled topics including whether targeted assassination of U.S. citizens by the United States was a legitimate act in the war on terrorism, whether states should preference the applications of immigrants who are culturally similar and whether aid should be denied to nations that persecute individuals for sexual orientation.

The Seawolves also distinguished themselves as individual speakers. Five of UAA's debaters finished in the top quarter of the competition: Brett Frazer (senior, Biology) was the 11th best speaker in the tournament while Haughey took 16th, Carpenter came in 23rd, Cason was right behind in 24th and Stanley finished 26th.

The Seawolf debaters plan to continue their streak when 16 members travel to Vancouver for a tournament at the University of British Columbia. For more information, please contact Steve Johnson at (907) 786-4391 or Shawn Briscoe (907) 786-4354. Follow the team on their website.