Completing one of its strongest seasons in recent history, Emory's Barkley Forum debate team finished first in the National Debate Tournament and set records in the process.
College seniors Mike Horowitz and Jon Paul Lupo claimed first place in the tournament. They beat Michigan State University to claim the title with a 7-1 record for the tournament.
College juniors Stephen Bailey and Kamal Gamal took third place. An additional team of College juniors Lawrence Haftman and Jeff McNabb advanced to the elimination rounds, making it to octafinals.
The Barkley Forum placed first overall in the U.S. in the team rankings. In addition, the Forum became the first collegiate team to have the first, second and third debate teams going into the elimination rounds.
Horowitz said the season was the best he had ever seen. "This was an amazing end to our debate careers," he said. "I really think this was one of the greatest seasons any team has ever had."
Barkley Forum Operations Manager Shannon Redman attributed the results to the efforts of the team and the coaching staff. "It's really a sign of how much work we put into preparing for this tournament and the season as a whole," she said.
The Barkley Forum has advanced to the National Debate Tournament finals four of the past five years, winning the tournament both this year and in 1996.
This year, the subject of the debates was whether the U.S. should lift economic sanctions on several countries, including Cuba, Iraq and North Korea. Teams argued in seven elimination rounds. In the semifinal round, Horowitz and Lupo faced Bailey and Gamal.
Gamal said part of the reason for the team's success was the unique closeness of team members. "The students have a lot of respect for each other," he said. "There's a climate of friendliness here. At other schools' teams, there's a lot of internal competition that weakens their teams."
Horowitz added that the coaching staff played a large role in helping the team achieve success. "I think that Melissa Wade [Barkley Forum's head coach] is one of the greatest logical minds since Socrates," he said. "The entire coaching staff was so incredible for us. They put so much work into this that when I lost, I felt like I let them down too. They just pour so much into this."
Wade could not be reached for comment.
Redman said the team should improve next year. "I think the team will try to equal this year's performance - it's hard to top being the best team in the country," she said. "But I think the coaching staff is dedicated to seeing the students accomplish their goals, and we'll be able to recruit the best high school debaters in the nation."
"The team's positioned to be one of the best in the country for years to come," Horowitz said. "I'm just glad to have been a part of this incredible ride."
