photo by Gloria Diaz
Campus Times
March 11, 2005
Arguing the motion of “this house believes that human rights must precede economic stability,” Prime Minister Xochitl Garcia rebuts Member of Opposition John Patrick’s point during the first round of competition at Saturday’s tournament against Loyola Marymount University.
The University of La Verne Debate Team hosted Loyola Marymount University for an independent tournament Saturday in Founders Hall.
The first round of the daylong event addressed whether human rights must precede over economic stability.
The ULV debate team is ranked No. 11 in the world and is No.1 in the United States, followed by Yale University, which is No. 15 in the world.
The ULV team recently returned from the World Championships in Malaysia.
Saturday’s debate was set up to help Loyola Marymount and the debate team’s newest members.
“Part of our ambition is to share our experience with other schools,” debate coach and Instructor of Speech and Debate Ian Lising said. “We have 53 people on the team and that is the most we’ve ever had.”
The debate teams were set up with both Loyola Marymount students and ULV’s.
Judging bias was reduced by mixing up students from both universities, which also helped create a good learning environment among peers.
The top eight debaters advanced to the third and final round.
“This helps us prepare for the U.S. World Championship and gives us a better sense of where we are at,” Loyola Marymount coach Jay Busse said. “I don’t think the students have a sense of intimidation. The way this is being organized mutes competitive perspective.”
Katie Coleman, a ULV freshman on the debate squad, said the day was a great learning experience.
“It was a good experience because with practice it’s not as competitive,” Coleman said. “I got to see kids who have gone to world debate and that’s something I want to do. They are my example and I learned a lot from them.”
Coach Lising also thought the day was a success.
“The whole purpose was to foster a varsity debate experience,” Lising said. “We also had some surprises which were very good.”
One of those surprises was the performance by Alex Drager. This was Drager’s first debate and he finished in the top five.
“I really didn’t have any expectations for anything,” Drager said. “When they called my name for the top five it was a total surprise to me, I almost felt unworthy.”
Drager was happy with his finish but he hopes it wasn’t just beginners luck.
“I’m just glad to be a part of it,” Drager said. “I just want to follow the example of my teammates.”
Josh Martin, along with LMU’s Mike Aguillera, won the final round, which discussed the house for ceding anorexia. Out of the top ten finalists eight were from ULV. Among the finalists for ULV were Jennifer Williams, Lauren Moon, and Brenna Lampson.
Mike Senyo can be reached at msenyo@ulv.edu.