by Elaine Huang
HILLSDALE, MI – This past weekend, three Lafayette debaters and two coaches made the 10 hour trip to Hillsdale, Michigan to participate in the inaugural Richard M. Weaver Invitational at Hillsdale College. Vanessa Milan (’16), Elaine Huang (’19), and Sarah Pungitore (’19) bravely endured the trip. Despite being terrified by the coaches that they would be staying in cabins with communal showers, the team enjoyed the eclectic experience. The campus was littered with statues and paintings of people from Margaret Thatcher to Pat Sajak.
At the tournament, the team faced off against The Ohio State University, Clarion University, John Carroll University, Central Michigan University, and the hosts from Hillsdale. After four preliminary rounds, Vanessa (3 wins-1 loss) and Sarah (2-2) advanced to quarterfinals. Unfortunately, both Sarah and Vanessa dropped to their opponents from Hillsdale and The Ohio State University. Sarah Pungitore was also named the 5th place speaker and top novice at the tournament. Elaine Huang (2-2) was the 6th place speaker and the 2nd best novice debater at the tournament. Collectively, the team placed 1st overall in team sweepstakes. Tim Polelle from Hillsdale College was the individual champion in debate.
Up next – Sarah Pungitore and Fayola Fair (’19) represent Lafayette College at the Novice National tournament at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.
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