Ball State Debate Team wins national competition

<p><strong>Abigail Gibbs, Photo Provided&nbsp;</strong></p>

Abigail Gibbs, Photo Provided 

The Ball State Debate Team once again became national debate champions Saturday with a score of 170 points. The second place team, Duquesne University, scored 54.

Senior political science major Deshaen Jordan said it was a weird and emotional experience knowing his last time debating would be that day.

“Actually getting up and giving my final speech, I was not expecting to feel that many emotions,” Jordan said. “After it was over, that’s when it really sunk in. I had to try to get over that in the moment cause I didn’t want to mess up cause of my feelings … I think that was the most important point of the day was to make sure that I didn’t get too emotional, that I was actually able to function while I was debating.”

It was Jordan’s fourth championship with Ball State, which has won nationals 11 out of the past 12 years. He and three other students became All-American Debators, which is one of the highest honors in the Debate Association.

Due to the team’s score, they closed out the tournament and didn’t have to compete in the final round.

“No other team actually was higher ranked to compete against Ball State teams. First, second, third and fourth were all from Ball State,” Jordan said. 

Senior interpersonal communication major Hannah Sullivan didn’t realize her last speech would be her last until she learned they closed out.

“It didn’t hit me until the banquet that I was done with debate forever. I texted my mom and was like ‘I’m really sad,’” Sullivan said. “I’m happy that I’m graduating, but it’s sad that this team I have spent four years with is done.”

Debate team coach Mike Bauer was running the tournament and knew the results before the team did.

“To know that and watch it happen during the tournament was something that was enjoyable but also nerve wracking as you go through the tournament,” Bauer said. “It’s fun to watch them then when the results are revealed and to see the excitement in the team and the excitement for their accomplishments.”

Bauer said a culture of excellence, hard work and dedication is set within the team and the expectation set in August is to strive for the national title.

“That’s the drive the team has always. That is the first priority, and individual awards then come after that,” Bauer said. 

The team’s next competition will be the Pan American World Debate Championships in April.

Individual team results

Policy Debate

  • First place team: Hannah Sullivan/Isaac Mitchell
  • Second place policy team: Sara Maier/Dashaen Jordan
  • Third place policy team:Thomas May/Carter Gallagher
  • Fourth place policy team: Manuel Calvo/Matt Hinkleman

Varsity Public Forum

  • Second place team Evan Like/Roshni Brahmbhatt
  • Fifth place team Morgan Johnson/Agigail Gibbs
  • Seventh place team Asha Cermak/Taylor Barrett

Novice Public Forum

  • Third place team Casey Williams/Allison Bandy
  • Sixth place team Nate Weber/Donnazia Trigg
  • Eighth place team Breanna Heath/Evan Witous

Individual Speaking awards

Policy Debate

  • First place speaker: Sara Maier
  • Second place speaker Hannah Sullivan
  • Third place speaker Isaac Mitchell
  • Fifth place speaker Matt Hinkleman
  • Sixth place speaker Carter Gallagher 
  • Seventh place speaker Dashean Jordan
  • Eighth place speaker Thomas May
  • Ninth place speaker Manuel Calvo

Varsity Public Forum

  • First place speaker Roshni Brahmbhatt
  • Third place speaker Evan Like
  • Fourth place speaker Morgan Johnson
  • Sixth place speaker Abigail Gibbs
  • Ninth place speaker Justlyn Clark

Novice Public Forum

  • Sixth place speaker Allison Bandy
  • Seventh place speaker Ebony Wilson
  • Ninth place speaker Nate Weber
  • 10th place speaker Casey Williams.

Contact Michelle Kaufman with comments at mekaufman@bsu.edu or on Twitter at @mkaufman85

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