King’s Debate Faces Snowstorms and Ivy Leagues at Cornell Tournament

The King’s Debate Society kicked off the Spring semester with one of the society’s most successful performances, competing upstate against nearly 100 teams at Cornell University.

Debate Society group photo at Cornell
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The King’s Debate Society kicked off the Spring semester with one of the society’s most successful performances, competing upstate against nearly 100 teams at the Cornell University’s “Trifecta of Love” tournament and Novice National Championship on February 11-12th. Five novice (first year debaters) and three varsity teams spent Saturday debating in five preliminary rounds, with topics ranging from all-female juries in sexual assault cases to the prosecution of fake news to elections in post-conflict societies such as Colombia.

Four of five novice teams remained eligible to advance to elimination rounds through the last preliminary debate, with Aaron Cho (’20) and Eddie VanZandt (’20); Iain Coston (’19) and Abby Smith (’20); and Lauren Marchand (’18) and first-time competitor Lydia Moynihan (’17). Haley Davidson (’20) and Annabelle Ford (’20) advanced to the quarterfinal, after winning their debate about the legitimacy of targeting human shields during war. Koby Jackson (’20) and first-time competitor Maggie Ford (’20) also had a successful performance, beating at least one of their opponents in every round.

“At Cornell, I learned that even when you’re totally losing your voice, you can still focus and work hard and do well!” Haley Davidson said. “I also learned how to face difficult—and sometimes controversial—motions on topics like sexual assault and human shields in war. I could not believe it when we broke to elimination rounds for the first time. It was incredible to see hard work pay off.”

King’s held its own in the open division as well, sending two teams of upperclassmen and one hybrid team from King’s and Hillsdale. KDS President Audrey Cooper (’18) and partner Grayson Logue (’18) advanced as the fourth seed varsity team after winning first place in three of their preliminary rounds. Vice President Trivette Knowles (’18) and Treasurer Kaitlyn Hasegawa (’19) also boasted a competitive record, remaining in contention to advance through the final preliminary round. Second-year debater Kyle Kendrick (’19) partnered with his twin brother, Matthew Kendrick (Hillsdale ’19), finishing just one point shy of advancing to the varsity semifinal.

“The King’s Debate Society has given me so many opportunities over the last two years, but my favorite moment was at the tournament this past weekend at Cornell,” said Kyle Kendrick. “The society bent over backwards to allow me to compete with my twin brother, who has just founded a debate team at Hillsdale. We discussed political and social policy, and even debated about ethical theories like consequentialism and Kantian ethics. The King’s Debate Society cares less about winning for its own sake, and more about the exchange of ideas in the most enjoyable way possible. I will cherish those moments and am very thankful.”

Unfortunately, King’s, and many other schools, were unable to remain at Cornell for the elimination rounds, as an advancing ice storm threatened to trap anyone who remained for the second day of competition. The team remained in good spirits, with some singing tunes from Hamilton and Fiddler on the Roof on the late-night drive back to New York City.

Next up, King’s Debate will compete at the Eastern Regional Championship at George Washington University (Feb. 24-25) and Pan-American Championship in at the University of LaVerne in California (March 11-12).


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