Beach Forensics Wins Again: A Very Successful Start to Fall

Beach Forensics has had a busy few weekends chocked full of success. A few weekends ago, the team competed at the Crossman Invitational Tournament in National Parliamentary Debate and International Public Debate. In National Parliamentary Debate, the team of Sebastian Chavez and Rachel Thibodeaux advanced to the Round of 32, with Thibodeaux being recognized as the 10^th place individual speaker. In International Public Debate, Jemmy Monroe received a silver medal and was recognized as the 2^nd place individual speaker, and Rachel Thibodeaux received a silver medal, winning the coveted 1^st place individual speaker award at the tournament.

Over Halloween weekend, the team competed in Policy Debate at the Jesuit Invitational, hosted by Gonzaga University. In the open division, the team of Diego Flores and Noah Christiansen finished with a 3-3 record, barely missing out on a Round of 32 appearance. In the rookie division, the team of Christopher Steveson and Rachel Thibodeaux advanced to the elimination debates as the 2^nd seed, making it all the way to the Final Four where they were defeated on a razor thin 3-2 decision. Steveson was recognized as the 4^th place speaker in the division, and Thibodeaux was recognized as the 1^st place individual speaker! Overall, the team picked up victories over CSU Fullerton, Arizona State University, Monmouth, University of Mary Washington, Western Washington University, the University of Louisville, and Georgetown.

This past weekend, the team hosted the annual Fall at the Beach Invitational and fielded two teams in Policy Debate. In the rookie division, the team of Garret Novak and Rachel Thibodeaux advanced to the elimination debates as the 2^nd seed, making it to the championship debate and finishing in 2^nd place after a very close 2-1 defeat in the final round. Novak was recognized as the 10^th place individual speaker (at Novak’s debut tournament!), and Thibodeaux was recognized as the 1^st place individual speaker in the division. That marks three consecutive tournaments that Thibodeaux has not only advanced to the elimination debates of a tournament, but also was recognized as the top individual speaker at the tournament! In the open division, the team of Diego Flores and Noah Christiansen went undefeated, advancing to the elimination debates as the number one seed and going on to win the tournament championship against NYU! Flores was recognized as the 2^nd place speaker in the division, and Christiansen was awarded the 1^st place speaker in the division! Stay tuned for more updates as Beach Forensics continues building momentum!