Senior Debaters Place Second at State

Chris Carey/Michael Hill and Ada Throckmorton/Utsa Ramaswami placed at the State debate tournament held at Olathe North this weekend. Carey/Hill finished second and Throckmorton/Ramaswami make it to octofinals. The teams of Liam Murphy/Sam Tulp and Jack Mitchell/Seth Myers also debated.

“It was sad because it was our last debate tournament in the state of Kansas but it was also a good thing because we got second and we lost to a team that was really good,” Carey said.

Of the 77 teams participating, Carey/Hill were expected to do well because of their two previous visits to State, with an eighth place finish as sophomores and a fourth place finish last year. The other East teams had no prior experience at the tournament.

The tournament spanned over two days and 20 hours and as the rounds progressed, the tension and pressure rose.

“Emotions were high because State is the last debate tournament of the year in Kansas. For a lot of seniors, it’s the end of a huge stage,” Throckmorton said.