Debate team sends 15 to finals

Written by by Randall Smith / Debate Coach
Friday, 10 February 2012 09:00

It was easily the most complex topic that high school debaters have faced this year, the question of whether or not the United Nations should officially recognize a Palestinian state. But five Barlow veterans managed to navigate the delicate minefield of history, politics, economics, terrorism, religion, justice, international law, and diplomacy, taking six trophies and four of the top six varsity speaker slots at Stamford's Westhill High School Saturday, Feb. 4.

For the third time this year, a Barlow pair advanced to the final exhibition round to contend for the top varsity prize. Juniors Nicolò Marzaro and Brendan Coppinger faced off against a very organized pair from Stamford. Nicolò put Barlow back in the game with his strongest speeches to date. Among the points he made was the idea that U.N. involvement in the former Yugoslavia proved that a third party could ultimately create stability, even in a region torn asunder by centuries-old, violent disputes over borders and religion.

Nicolò's debating impressed several judges that day, and with 84 points and a 3-0 record, he earned the second-place varsity speaker award.

Junior Ben Lewson's hard work paid off with the third-place varsity speaker trophy. With this honor, he has earned the distinction of being the 15th student to qualify for state finals this year for Barlow, breaking the previous school record set by the school's 2009 championship roster. The third-place varsity team also happened to be the current state champions, senior co-captains Henry Knight and Sam Torchio, who were once again undefeated. The pair have improved greatly on their performance last year and are now 14-1 overall this season, building up momentum as they head toward the end of the season, when they get a shot at defending their title. Henry, the top varsity speaker of 2011, was just a single point behind Ben this time, finishing in fourth place overall.

Freshman Hunter Lightman and senior Alex Cheu faced unexpected challenges when both learned that their partners were sick. Despite his trepidation, Hunter rose to the occasion, and by taking advice from his very capable veteran partner, won two of three rounds for the day. Alex's stellar 83-point performance tied Henry, leaving him as the sixth-place speaker out of the nearly 100 varsity competitors. Many of Hunter's novice teammates debated to multiple victories, taking two of three rounds. Among them were sophomore Tommy Cocco, as well as freshmen Brooke Curto, Will Tower, Harrison vonDwingelo, Sam Aldershof, and first-timer Alex Krupnikoff-Salkin. Tommy was among the top five novice speakers, tying for points with the second and third novice speakers, with the tie broken by total wins.

Barlow has one more qualifying tournament in CDA Extemporaneous Debate in early March, just two weeks before the final. It will also compete at the Hopkins School in late February.