What are your views on water resources?
Welcome to the 2021-2022 Policy Debate Topic: The United States federal government should substantially increase its protection of water resources in the United States.
Every year, debaters at the end of the season compete to bring home a national champion. This year marks the first year Jesuit Debate accomplishes this feat.
The NDCA Novice Nationals
One of the final national tournaments that freshmen year debaters can compete in is known as the National Debate and Coaches Association which brings together the nation’s top debaters as they battle to a single winner.
This year, underclassmen Luke Lastelick ’25 and Leo Ramirez ’25 faced a pool of 38 other teams in their triumph to the top.
At the end of 6 long debates, the dynamic duo finished with a record of 5-1 earning the second seed in the elimination portion of the tournament.
They first debated North Broward Prep from Miami in the quarterfinals and Isidore Newman School from New Orleans in the semifinals. In the finals, the freshmen team won on a 4-1 decision against Glenbrook South High School from Illinois for the historic national championship.
In total, they debated 10 rounds over three days, losing only 3 ballots in total. In addition to the team award, both debaters won top 10 individual speaker awards as well. Lastelick was recognized as the 3rd overall speaker and Ramirez as the 6th overall speaker.
Competitors Thoughts
Luke Lastelick: “I think the NDCA really put things in perspective. At past tournaments, I had been more focused on learning rather than winning. This win felt like a culmination of all that hard practice both in and outside of the practices and tournaments. Debate is an excellent opportunity to obliterate your opponents in a civilized way while still gaining valuable skills and knowledge. I think at this tournament we learned more than any other and those technical skills are some that will benefit both me and my partner in future tournaments and in our trials outside debate.”
Leo Ramirez: “The tournament showed me a lot about the different ways people debate. I learned a lot about the topic and the arguments people ran. When I learned and won, I was relieved and was happy that all that hard work had paid off.”
Coaches Thoughts
Dr. McFarland: “Winning National Debate Coaches Novice National Championships is a testament to the work that Luke and Leo put in all season long. In first-year debates, a combo of good debate, spidey senses, and experience can make the difference – and Luke and Leo have both going for them. They worked hard all season – and while unfortunately, work effort doesn’t always translate into competitive success, Luke and Leo have debated in a lot of debate rounds this season. They both committed to thinking and practicing debate outside of our daily team practices, including meeting with coaches during free periods or freshmen PE. At NDCA, Luke and Leo made the most of this being an “away” tournament – where we debated and stayed at a hotel even though it was a virtual competition – and really utilized their coaching resources during elimination rounds. I am super pleased for them – and despite the various successes for Jesuit Debate over the span of the program, this National Championship is truly historic for the program.”
Mr. Lingel: “This is a trophy and a championship that we have had as a goal for 20 plus years. I stand up in front of the freshmen class every year and say ‘if you want to make history and win a national championship, join the debate team’ and these guys did it.”
Conclusion
The future looks bright with this historic accomplishment under the belt for these young debaters.
They took advantage of every opportunity they were given in the numerous tournament they have competed in this year.
With the Water Resources topic finished this year, next year’s NATO Topic will provide an opportunity for these debaters to perfect their skills.
