Webster Club Policy Debate Team Reaches Quarterfinals at The Grapevine Classic

Posted on September 10th, 2006 by Bill Batterman (Category: Policy Debate, Results)

The Webster Club’s top policy debate team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Grapevine Classic in Grapevine, Texas this past weekend. Seniors Gaurav Bhatnagar and Nolan Wanecke compiled a 4-1 record in the preliminary rounds and advanced to the octafinals as the tournament’s fourth seed. In the elimination rounds, Gaurav and Nolan defeated a team from Colleyville Heritage High School (Colleyville, Texas) before losing a close 2-1 decision in the quarterfinals to a team from Westwood High School (Austin, Texas).

The Grapevine Classic hosted 71 policy debate teams from schools in twelve states. In the preliminary rounds, the Hilltoppers bested teams from Jesuit College Prep (Dallas, TX), The St. Mark’s School (Dallas, TX), Parkway High School (Bossier City, LA), and Joshua High School (Joshua, TX) and were defeated by a team from The Greenhill School (Dallas, TX). Out of 142 total debaters, Gaurav was the ninth individual speaker and Nolan was fifteenth. While disappointed in the quarterfinals result, it was a solid opening weekend showing for this promising duo.

Photos from the Webster Club’s trip to Grapevine are available below the fold.

Gaurav Bhatnagar and Nolan Wanecke do some last minute preparation while waiting for their flight at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.

Nolan Wanecke waits for our flight to Dallas.

Nolan and Gaurav put away their files after defeating a team from Jesuit College Prep (Dallas, TX) in round one.

Nolan and Gaurav after their first round against Jesuit College Prep (Dallas, TX).

Gaurav Bhatnagar is cross-examined by Mathew Andrews, one-half of last year’s Tournament of Champions-winning team from The Greenhill School (Dallas, TX).