WPDU Novice Tandem Storms Clarion
WPDU novice debaters Paras Minhas and Jayson Myers made their college debate debuts at the Clarion University Autumn Leaf tournament in Clarion, Pennsylvania, September 25-27, 2009. To prepare for the tournament, Minhas and Myers researched the 2009-2010 intercollegiate policy debate topic: "Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially reduce the size of its nuclear weapons arsenal, and/or substantially reduce and restrict the role and/or missions of its nuclear weapons arsenal." Debating on the affirmative side, they advocated a plan for the United States to adopt a "no first use" of nuclear weapons policy, while on the negative side, they argued that weakening of the U.S. defense posture would undermine the Japan-U.S. military alliance. Minhas and Myers split their six preliminary rounds, defeating two teams from Fayetteville State University and one from John Carroll University. With a 3-3 record, they narrowly missed qualifying for the elimination rounds. "Paras and Jayson have begun mastering the full range of nuclear proliferation and deterrence policy arguments this weekend, as they impressed both judges and opponents in the novice division," said assistant WPDU coach Odile Hobeika. Also at the Clarion tournament, the varsity tandem of Jeff Kurr and Chris Solis downed opposing teams from James Madison University and the University of Mary Washington.
The WPDU opened its 2009-2010 policy debate season the prior weekend at the Georgia State University tournament in Atlanta, Georgia. There, the senior tandem of Michael Mangus and John Karlovic compiled a 4-3 record in the varsity division, notching wins over Michigan, James Madison, and two teams from Missouri State. Also in the varsity division, Kurr pulled off victories against Georgia and Case Western, while WPDU seniors Jennifer Sweeney and Stephanie Luczajko downed Emory and James Madison.
Next up for the WPDU is the Richmond Spider Classic tournament hosed by the University of Richmond, October 10-12, 2009, where all four teams mentioned above will be in action.