Fourteen Explorers represented Columbus and the team came away with first place finishes in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Informative Speaking, as well as 4th and 6th places in a competitive Public Forum division. The team was made up mostly of students from the Debate I class who were competing for the first time, with a couple of seasoned novices and newly returning members joining the fold.

 

In Lincoln-Douglas debate, Michael Denis returned to competition after his sophomore hiatus, to finish undefeated and in first place of the LD division. Closely behind him in second place was seasoned freshman Alan Munschy, who finished with a 1-1 record and top speaker recognition of the tournament. Making his debating debut, Adrian Noy also finished with a 1-1 record and ended the tournament in 3rd place overall. The students were debating whether the United States should end subsidies to fossil fuels.

 

In Informative Speaking, there was a duel between Debate I sophomores Eric Marill and Angelo Rodriguez. Eric Marill pulled off the first place finish overall, after giving a great speech on the evolution of dating and relationships. Angelo was closely behind in second place, with his oratory on gender disparities in elementary education,

 

In Public Forum Debate, the students were debating the merits of the United States' offensive use of cyber operations. The Debate I team of AJ Santana & Jake Tapia finished undefeated and in 4th place based off speaker points. Closely behind them with a 1-1 record was the sophomore team of Gianfranco Ilas and Tyler Bravo, finishing in 6th.