Start of year wins for the debate team bode well for another record-setting year
By Maya O’Dell · Contributing Writer
Eighteen of the past 19 years, Grove City College’s debate team has won an individual or team national championship, and this year hopes to continue the tradition.
In the first tournament of the year, the team had a second-place finisher and a champion in two individual competition brackets. Faculty coaches Jason Edwards and Andrew Harvey lead the college debate team, and they invite both those with extensive debate or public speaking experience and those new to the world of arguing for the truth with conviction, grace and skill.
This year, the team has already welcomed a few new teammates, some of whom have already joined returning members to participate in their first tournament of the season.
According to Elias Freire, a longstanding and experienced member, time debating is more than a fun hobby.
“It’s definitely contributed to my education and learning,” Freire said.
Weekly team practices use lectures, practice rounds and drills to train team members in proper argumentation and integrity of thinking and speaking. In a field that can tend toward relativism, the Grove City team stands for the truth and strives to win debates honorably. All debaters are required to attend two of the three practices that take place each week to participate in weekend tournaments.
Edwards, the head coach, is a professor of education at the college, and Harvey, the assistant coach, is a professor of English. The team loves them, and Freire summarized their impact by saying, “They take the time to get to know us but also are very knowledgeable and also very helpful for preparing for debate tournaments and … prepping our cases.”
Those interested in debate or what the team is all about can stop by a debate practice on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday in SHAL 103 from 7-8 p.m. The team is always excited to welcome newcomers, and the coaches are always looking for new talent.
Bethany Kuechly, a student in one of Harvey’s HUMA classes, received an invitation to join after presenting on debate in class. Although she had no prior experience, the team was excited to have her join.
“Debate team encourages me to know the names of those in office and what they stand for,” team member Sophie Spilak said. “This club has been an excellent way for me to engage positively with current events and remain aware of larger national and global issues.”
Team members are given the chance to hone their knowledge of various topics while also having a great time. Freire explained that the team has become great friends even outside regular debate activities, but they can also enjoy their debate trips by having their traditional barbecue stop at the end of tournament trips.
“We’re also the barbecue club,” Freire said.
Tournaments can be online or in-person. Though, according to Freire, the team generally prefers the excitement of in-person debating over virtual face-offs. Live debates are usually two-day affairs, so the team packs up and hits the road on Friday afternoon to reach the opposing school in time to check in and compete Friday night. They get up Saturday to compete again throughout the day before heading back to Grove City Saturday night.
The college funds the debate team, so students can participate in these tournaments at no personal cost, which the team appreciates.
Additionally, Freire said, “It doesn’t hurt that we win a lot.”
