From rookies to champions: Clemson debate team wins national title

Published: March 18, 2013

Clemson debate team members are (front row, left to right): Jessie Johnson, Austin Cope, Kaela Kennington, Trinh Chu, Kristina Zeuke, Payton Shiver, Jenny Tumas, Nick Frederick, Daniel Lentz, Leanna Repik, Kayla Gooding, Gia Grimm, Kelly Glasson, Cali Castro; (back row, left to right): Anthony Adams, Cameron Eagles, Spencer Riehl, Brian Murphy, Alicia Bostic, Arjun Aggwarl, Scott Porter, Gabby Norris. image by: Clemson University

By Kelly Borglum

CLEMSON — Clemson University’s debate team won the National Educational Debate Association’s national tournament.

More than 80 students from six schools across the Midwest and East Coast competed in the March 8-9 tournament at Clemson, including Ball State University, the University of Dayton, Southeast Missouri State University, Saint Peter’s University and Anderson University.

This is the first time in the last six years that a school other than Ball State’s won the national title and it was done by Clemson’s rookie team, which was established in fall 2012 in communication studies.

“It's my understanding that throughout NEDA history, a single debate program has never constituted a new team, hosted the national tournament and won that tournament in the same year until now,” said Karyn Ogata Jones, chairwoman of the communication studies department. “These accomplishments speak volumes to the leadership and talents of our program director, Lindsey Dixon, and the quality and dedication of students we have here at Clemson University.”

“I have been involved with debate for the past five years and I can say without a doubt that these students are some of the most dedicated, passionate and talented I have ever come across,” said Lindsey Dixon, a faculty member and team coach.

“It is truly an honor to be their coach and to watch them go from novice debaters to national champions in one year," she said. "What they have done this year is nothing short of amazing.”

There were many individual and team winners from Clemson:

• Daniel Lentz and Payton Shiver won first place in Novice Crossfire; Brian Murphy and Anthony Adams were awarded second place; and Alicia Bostic and Leanna Repik were awarded fourth place.
• Jessie Johnson and Kristina Zeuke won first place in Varsity Crossfire.
• Arjun Aggwarl and Scott Porter won first place in Novice Policy, and Austin Cope and Kaela Kennington were awarded second place.
• Jenny Tumas and Cameron Eagles won second place in Varsity Policy, and Spencer Riehl and Trinh Chu were awarded third place.
• Speaker awards were won by Daniel Lentz for first place and Brian Murphy for fourth place in Novice Crossfire; Jessie Johnson for fifth place in Varsity Crossfire; Arjun Aggwarl for first place, Scott Porter for second place, Austin Cope for third place and Gabby Norris for fourth place in Novice Policy; and Spencer Riehl for first place and Cameron Eagles for second place in Varsity Policy.

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