For Immediate Release: March 14, 2003
MARY WASHINGTON COLLEGE DEBATE TEAM WINS
THIRD CONSECUTIVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Fredericksburg, Va. – The Mary Washington College Debate Team claimed its third consecutive national championship at the American Debate Association's National Championship Tournament, held at Boston College March 6-9.
Competing in the junior varsity division, juniors John Nagy of Springfield and Carly Woods of Burke defeated teams from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, Catholic University, Cornell University and Liberty University to claim the "Founder's Cup," a sterling silver trophy given annually to the nation's best junior varsity team. Nagy and Ms. Woods defeated Liberty University in the final round of the tournament in a debate that focused on the pending war with Iraq.
Two other Mary Washington College teams in competition during the weekend also were recognized at the tournament. Sophomore Jennifer Golladay of Newark, Del., and sophomore Joseph Packer of Williamsburg claimed third place in the junior varsity division, defeating teams from the University of Rochester, Catholic University, Fordham University and George Mason University. Senior Raya Drew of Arlington and freshman Leslie Wyatt of Chester finished ninth in the novice division.
In addition to the team's success, two Mary Washington College students were recognized for their individual performances throughout the weekend. Packer was ranked as the second best speaker in the junior varsity division while Ms. Drew finished seventh in the novice division.
The 2002-03 intercollegiate debate topic was: "Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should ratify or accede to, and implement, one or more of the following: The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; The Kyoto Protocol; The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; The Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty; The Treaty Between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Strategic Offensive Reductions."
For more information about the Debate Team, contact Tim O'Donnell, assistant professor of English and director of debate, at (540) 654-1252.