Novice Policy Duo Advances To Semifinals at The Iowa Caucus
Posted on November 1st, 2006 by Bill Batterman (Category: Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Policy Debate, Results)
The Webster Club made the drive to beautiful Cedar Rapids, Iowa this past weekend to compete in the Iowa Caucus debate tournament. Ten students represented Marquette in varsity and novice policy and varsity Lincoln-Douglas divisions including four who were making their out-of-state debuts. Despite the stuffed-like-a-sardine-can drive in a 15-passenger van, the team had a wonderful time debating against solid competition from throughout the midwest.
The MVPs for the trip were freshman David Glaubke and sophomore Joe Balistreri who advanced to the semifinals of the novice policy division in their first out-of-state, switch-sides tournament. After compiling a 4-1 record during the preliminary rounds, David and Joe advanced to the quarterfinals as the tournament’s third seed and defeated a team from Highland Park Senior High (St. Paul, Minnesota) in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Marquette was defeated by the top novice team from nearby Nicolet High School (Glendale, Wisconsin) in a hard-fought debate. Joe was recognized as the tournament’s ninth individual speaker while David finished 16th out of the field of over 40 debaters.
While the second-year policy and first- and second-year Lincoln-Douglas debaters largely struggled against difficult and more experienced competition, juniors Garrett Fields and Mark Kettler put together an impressive 4-2 record during the preliminary rounds of the varsity policy tournament. Unfortunately, the duo did not qualify for elimination rounds based on their speaker points. Nonetheless, it was another solid performance by a team on the rise.
Photos from the Webster Club’s trip to Cedar Rapids are available below the fold.
Everyone was impressed with the Iowa 80 Truckstop, an oasis of fast food and neon lighting in the middle of Nowhere, Iowa.
Don’t take our word for it: this gigantic neon sign informs visitors that the Iowa 80 Truckstop is indeed the largest in the world.
A group of Webster Club members attempt to look cool in the parking lot of the world’s largest truckstop: (left to right) Noah Charles, Joe Balistreri, David Glaubke, Jacob Swan, Jacob Sirus, and Garrett Fields.
Noah Charles, Jacob Swan, and Joe Balistreri brave the wind and rain to pose for a picture in the Iowa 80 Truckstop parking lot.
The team awaits the awards ceremony: (left to right) Sam Hope, Noah Charles, Jacob Swan, Mark Kettler, and Ben Benson.
Marquette BC (Ben Benson and Noah Charles) poses before an upcoming round with coach Ben Schultz.
Sophomores Ben Benson and Noah Charles during Saturday’s competition.
The novice semifinalists: David Glaubke and Joe Balistreri.
The Iowa Caucus Squad poses for a picture before the return trip on Sunday night: (left to right) Garrett Fields, Jacob Sirus, Joe Balistreri, David Gebhardt, David Glaubke, Mark Kettler, Ben Benson, Noah Charles, Jacob Swan, and Sam Hope.
A better picture of the Iowa Caucus Squad: (left to right) Garrett Fields, Jacob Sirus, Joe Balistreri, David Gebhardt, David Glaubke, Mark Kettler, Ben Benson, Noah Charles, Jacob Swan, and Sam Hope.