Idaho State University Debate wins first-place awards at regional tournament

Idaho State University seniors Matea Ivanovic and Kendra Doty debated for approximately 25 hours in a total of 10 debates to win the Gonzaga University Jesuit Debates.

Ivanovic and Doty, who are members of the James M. and Sharon E. Rupp Debate Society, participated in six preliminary debates over two days to qualify for the single elimination bracket. During the preliminary debates, their record was 5-1. Overall, their record was 9-1. Ivanovic won the first place individual speaker award based on judge ratings of her performance during each of the six preliminary debates.

The Gonzaga tournament held Sept. 28-30 is hosted every fall and attracts teams from as far away as Kansas and California. The tournament, hosted 40 individual teams from 13 schools including Emporia State, last year’s national championship debate squad. Additionally, teams from Arizona State University, California State at Fullerton, University of California at Berkeley, Gonzaga, the University of Missouri at Kansas City, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Oklahoma University, Puget Sound, Weber State University and Whitman College.

The tournament uses the Cross Examination Debate Association debate topic. This year the topic is “Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase statutory and or judicial restrictions on the war powers authority of the President of the United States in one or more of the following areas: targeted killing; indefinite detention; offensive cyber operations; or introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities.” Each team has an equal number of affirmative and negative debates in preliminary rounds. In single elimination debates, the side is usually determined by a coin toss.

Ivanovic and Doty claimed the first-place trophy on a close 2-1 decision over Christian Rodriguez and Alex Velto who were representing the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

“After 22 hours of debate over three days, the debaters were tired, but the adrenaline was there and they performed well in the final round,” said Sarah Partlow-Lefevre, Director of the James M. & Sharon E. Rupp Debate Society.

“This is the result of years of practice and countless hours of preparation over weeks,” said Lindsay Vanluvanee, assistant debate coach. “It makes me proud to see Kendra and Matea’s hard work pay dividends.”

For more information about the debate team visit www.isu.edu/debate/ or call 282-5962.

###

POCATELLO – Idaho State University seniors Matea Ivanovic and Kendra Doty debated for approximately 25 hours in a total of 10 debates to win the Gonzaga University Jesuit Debates.

Ivanovic and Doty, who are members of the James M. and Sharon E. Rupp Debate Society, participated in six preliminary debates over two days to qualify for the single elimination bracket. During the preliminary debates, their record was 5-1. Overall, their record was 9-1. Ivanovic won the first place individual speaker award based on judge ratings of her performance during each of the six preliminary debates.

The Gonzaga tournament held Sept. 28-30 is hosted every fall and attracts teams from as far away as Kansas and California. The tournament, hosted 40 individual teams from 13 schools including Emporia State, last year’s national championship debate squad. Additionally, teams from Arizona State University, California State at Fullerton, University of California at Berkeley, Gonzaga, the University of Missouri at Kansas City, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Oklahoma University, Puget Sound, Weber State University and Whitman College.

The tournament uses the Cross Examination Debate Association debate topic. This year the topic is “Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase statutory and or judicial restrictions on the war powers authority of the President of the United States in one or more of the following areas: targeted killing; indefinite detention; offensive cyber operations; or introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities.” Each team has an equal number of affirmative and negative debates in preliminary rounds. In single elimination debates, the side is usually determined by a coin toss.

Ivanovic and Doty claimed the first-place trophy on a close 2-1 decision over Christian Rodriguez and Alex Velto who were representing the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

“After 22 hours of debate over three days, the debaters were tired, but the adrenaline was there and they performed well in the final round,” said Sarah Partlow-Lefevre, Director of the James M. & Sharon E. Rupp Debate Society.

“This is the result of years of practice and countless hours of preparation over weeks,” said Lindsay Vanluvanee, assistant debate couch. “It makes me proud to see Kendra and Matea’s hard work pay dividends.”

For more information about the debate team visit www.isu.edu/debate/ or call 282-5962.

###