The Fulton Debating Society advanced two teams to the semi-finals in the Junior Varsity Division at the Big Tent Invitational Tournament held on-line during December 2-4, 2022.
A partial list of teams competing at the tournament included California State (Fullerton), Macalester, Missouri State, Monmouth, New School, New York University, Southwestern, University of Minnesota, and University of Texas, Dallas.
The Big Tent tournament was hosted by the University of Wyoming, Missouri State, and Truman State. The tournament is aptly named because it offered competition in a variety of events including British Parliamentary debate, Lincoln Douglas debate, Public Forum, and team policy debate.
Boston College teams competed exclusively in team policy debate. Three BC teams advanced to the elimination rounds in Junior Varsity.
During the preliminary debates, Cross Conrad, ’23 & Emma Randolph, ’26 were 5-1, defeating teams from Monmouth (twice), New York University, New School, and they received a bye. That performance earned Conrad & Randolph the second seed.
John Sexton, ’26 & Terrence King, ’26 were 4-2, defeating teams from Monmouth (twice), New York University, and the New School. They were the fourth seed.
Caleb Wachsmuth, ’24 & Ian McNabb, ’24 were 4-2, defeating teams from Monmouth (twice), Southwestern, and they received a bye. That made them the fifth seed.
In the quarter finals, Sexton & King met McNabb & Wachsmuth. As the higher seed, Sexton & King walked over McNabb & Wachsmuth and advanced to the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals, Sexton & King met the top seed from New York University. BC was locked negative. NYU ran an affirmative that vested rights in nature to prevent biopiracy. In a 2-1 decision, NYU defeated Sexton & King.
In the other semi-final, Conrad & Raymond debated another NYU team. BC was locked affirmative and lost in a unanimous decision. Therefore, NYU closed out the tournament and won the JV division.
Several Boston College debaters earned individual speaker honors. Cross Conrad won second place speaker, John Sexton received fourth place speaker, and Terrence King earned sixth place speaker.
For additional information about Fulton Debate, contact John Katsulas at katsulas@bc.edu.