Cottonwood Classic 2022 Results

Building our momentum for in-person NMSDA tournaments, the team competed at the Cottonwood Classic on Friday and Saturday, 11/11-11/12. As the team’s first traditional two-day tournament, students had the opportunity to advance to elimination rounds where they battled against the other top performing entries in their event, often times with a larger audience (a much different kind of performative energy!).

Some of the new debate topics included:

1) whether the People’s Republic of China ought to prioritize environmental protection over economic growth
2) whether the United States’ strategy of Great Power Competition produces more benefits than harms

In Speech, we premiered several new pieces, including one on the hidden sides of emotional abuse as it can manifest in interpersonal relationships, and a theatrical portrayal of two beauty queens stranded on a desert island coping with an existential crisis.

Specific award highlights were noted by the following:

Speech

1st place in International Extemporaneous Speaking — Ayla Zomermaand

1st place in Informative Speaking — Ben Raihane

2nd place in Informative Speaking — Becca Faber

1st place in Impromptu Speaking — Becca Faber

2nd place in Impromptu Speaking — Ayla Zomermannd

2nd place in Original Oratory — Lilee Zapatka

2nd place in Program Oral Interp — Ell Bueno

3rd place in Program Oral Interp — Thomas Wray

3rd place in Duo Interp — Gabby Sanchez & Sara Chehy (first tournament this year!)

Debate

1st place in Public Forum Debate — Elizabeth Hiller & Abbott Carothers (UNDEFEATED, and first tournament of the year!)

3rd place Semifinalists in Public Forum Debate — Anagha Devarakonda & Jaycee Sanchez (AD’s first tournament this year!)

2nd place in Policy Debate — Leo Crowley & Sydney Weber

3rd place in Policy Debate — Ashna Singh & Lucy Lott (LL’s first tournament!)

3rd place Semifinalist in Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate — Meryem Anderoglu

As a whole, we took home 1st place finishes in 4 out of the 10 categories that we entered in, with numerous other students placing in the top 3 of their events. Congratulations to all for continuing to hone their craft, show up, and be brave.

Next up, we’ll compete in the online NSDA Springboard Capstone tournament in early December before heading to New Orleans, LA for Isidore Newman’s Invitational!