Tuesday, January 16, 2018

ISU Debaters Named First and Second Speaker at Online Tournament

Jack Bradley, First Place Speaker and Third Place Finisher
The ISU Rupp Debate Squad earned top speaking honors at the first Climb! Online Debate tournament of the semester on January 14th! Jack Bradley was named first speaker and took third place while Raiven Nickerson was 2nd speaker and took fourth place on the open division. The team participated with four skilled debaters, Jack Bradley, Raiven Nickerson, Alex Vail, and Michael Mares. Speakers sparred on issues ranging from taxation of sugar to banning football.

Alex Vail (right) striking topics in a preliminary debate.
Bradley and Nickerson performed especially well during this tournament. Jack’s topic draws saw him arguing against the implementation of a carbon tax, and debating to banning football. Raiven’s topics included – among others --discourse on the increased use of wind energy, and why Democrats politicians should work with Trump. In the end, both competitors made it to semi-finals, and were named the top two speakers at the tournament! 
Jack Bradley debating in Semi Finals with a three judge panel.
Semifinal topic strike card.

This tournament was a strong opener for the team, with two of its members making it to semis, and taking the top two spots for speaker awards, Jack earning first speaker and Raiven earning second, respectively. The ISU squad has hit the ground running this semester, and hopes to take more titles this semester.

Raiven Nickerson debating in Semifinals with a three judge panel.
Jack Bradley

Raiven Nickerson

Kaden Marchetti
Alex Vail debating online in the CMP Ifft Speech Lab
  
Michael Mares debating online in the CMP Ifft Speech Lab


Raiven Nickerson, 2nd Speaker. Jack Bradley, First Speaker.