MSU debate team earns awards Contact: Michael Eber, director of debate, (517) 432-9667; or Kristin Anderson, University Relations, (517) 353-8819 or ander284@msu.edu
2/19/2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Two Michigan State University debate teams have received competitive first round National Debate Tournament (NDT) At-Large Awards, recognizing them as being among the top 16 in the nation.
The awards are based on overall record, tournament success and head-to-head results.
By receiving the awards, team members Greta Stahl of Shelby Township, a history and international relations senior, and Dave Strauss of East Lansing, an international relations senior; and team members Aaron Hardy, an interdisciplinary arts and humanities junior from Logan, Utah, and Shaun VanHorn of Shelby Township, a biology senior, are automatically invited to the NDT. The tournament, limited to about 75 teams, will be held April 2-5 at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
“We knew for sure that Stahl and Strauss would be in the top 16 based on their strong performance throughout the year,” said Michael Eber, interim director of debate. “One of the great things about receiving the awards this year is that we have a second team as well. Hardy and VanHorn also were recognized for their accomplishments. For a school to get two awards in one year is a good sign we have a very strong debate program.”
Other schools receiving the NDT Award are: University of California, Berkeley, two awards; Dartmouth College; Emory University, two awards; University of Georgia; Harvard University; University of North Texas; Northwestern University, two awards; University of Redlands; University of Texas at Austin, two awards; and Wake Forest University. This is the third year in a row MSU received two NDT Awards.
In one of its most recent accomplishments, MSU secured a third-place finish at the 45th Annual Owen L. Coon Memorial Debates at Northwestern University. The Northwestern tournament is one of the largest and most difficult of the year, with 140 teams from more than 60 colleges and universities competing.
Stahl and Strauss were 7-1 in the preliminary debates, making them fifth seed going into the elimination rounds where they defeated teams from Emory University, the University of Kentucky and Harvard University. They lost in semi-finals to Emory University in a close debate against its best team, which also received an NDT Award.
Hardy and Vanhorn were 6-2 in the preliminary debates and reached the double octo-finals, finishing among the top tier of debate teams in the nation.
MSU also was well represented by Ryan Burke of Rochester Hills, an international relations sophomore, and Andrea Reed of Highland Park, Texas, an undeclared freshman, who had a 5-3 record in preliminary debates, narrowly missing advancement into the elimination rounds.
The next tournament, the Freshman Nationals, will be held March 6-8, at Northwestern University. Also on the agenda is the Cross Examination Debate Association National Championship March 19-22 at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
For more information, please visit www.wfu.edu/organizations/NDT/
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