by Joseph Rothschild

EASTON, PA – The Lafayette Forensics team has done it again in their hometown, clinching a first-place finish over a half-dozen top contenders at the Ocho, our very own annual tournament held on October 3rd and 4th.

Not only did the back-to-back four-round tournaments represent an incredible opportunity for experienced debaters to prove their worth, it also marked the first time Lafayette’s first-year debaters attended a competition. Elaine Huang (’19), Connor Burwell (’19), Sarah Pungitore (’19), and Lauren Wisniewski (’19) all had remarkable showings at their debut tournament.

The first day of the tournament, returning debater Joseph Rothschild (’16) and novice debaters Elaine Huang, Connor Burwell, and Lauren Wisniewski all advanced to elimination rounds. All three of the novices made it to quarterfinals, an impressive showing for the first debate tournament of their lives. In open, Joseph Rothschild advanced all the way to finals where he matched up against Western Kentucky’s Mark Allseits. The explosive round resulted in a 3-0 decision for the hometown debater from Lafayette College.  This was Joseph’s second consecutive win and third successive final round appearance to start the season.

The second day of the tournament, Joseph Rothschild had prior obligations, but was still around to scout rounds and distract Lafayette’s other returning debaters, Alyssa Braver (’16) and Vanessa Milan (’16). After another grueling four rounds of competition, Vanessa Milan advanced to elimination rounds in open alongside Elaine Huang, Connor Burwell, and Lauren Wisniewski, who once again advanced. While Lauren Wisniewski and Connor Burwell once more were eliminated in quarterfinals, Elaine Huang made it all the way to semifinals before being eliminated. Vanessa Milan, in open, powered through an octofinal round before a close debate against CSU Sacremento’s Brandon Garcia. Day 2 open finals concluded with a Western Kentucky victory awarded to Carolyn Evans.

All in all, it was a phenomenal weekend for Lafayette College. Besides the Day 1 victory and numerous speaker awards falling in Lafayette’s favor, three novice debaters are now qualified for the national tournament, and Vanessa Milan’s elimination-round appearance qualifies her as well.