Debate students seniors Lexi Riddle, Alex Reeves, Stephen McEnery and junior Jason Biesma competed at the state debate tournament on Friday, Jan. 11.  Riddle and Reeves had 3 wins and 3 losses while Biesma and McEnery had 2 wins and 4 losses.

Competing at a state level is much different than a normal debate meet, according to Reeves.

“In normal debate meets there are five rounds and then they declare a winner.  Sometimes we go on to elimination rounds as well,” Reeves said. “In the state meet there were six regular rounds and elimination rounds after which made it more difficult.”

According to debate teacher Jeanette Hardesty the state-level meet made the competition more intense.

“It was very competitive since every 5A school was there,” Hardesty said.  “The best part of the meet was the competitive atmosphere of over 60 teams.”

Students worked throughout first semester practicing cases and competing at the local level.  Since the state level meet took place during second semester, this gave a disadvantage to the students competing.

“I think that state should be held in December when students are working on debate and not in January when the season is officially over,” Hardesty said.  “The teams didn’t have time to practice.”