Oregon Debate in the Limelight

Juniors Matt Gander & Hank Fields showing affection for their first-place trophy

After our first tournament victory, the University of Oregon Debate team appeared in an Oregon Daily Emerald article featuring the team’s  exploit at the recent Lewis & Clark College tournament. The story contains interviews and intriguing insights on what intercollegiate debate is all about. Read and comment!

UO Wins Lewis and Clark Tournament

UO Takes Fast Lead To New Debate Season

Only two weeks into the fall quarter and the University of Oregon claims its first debate tournament title. Last weekend the UO Speech and Debate Team headed north to Lewis & Clark College for the Pioneer invitational in Portland, Oregon October 9-11.

At the first and largest tournament of the Pacific Northwest, the team of Mathew Gander and Hank Fields emerged victorious, clinching the Duck’s first tournament victory.  The big win skyrocketed the dynamic duo of Gander and Fields to the very top of the national rankings, and were also acknowledged individually earning 8^th and 16^th speakers overall.

Lewis & Clark was also the first tournament of the year for teammembers to showcase their talents in varied speech events. Most notable, junior Aloura DiGiallonardo took two events to finals earning 4^th place in Poetry and 2^nd place in Dramatic Interpretation. Newcomer freshman James Miller also arrived on the scene finishing 6^th place in junior impromptu speaking.

This victory is certain to give the team a lot of momentum for their next Pac-Northwest tournament at the University of Puget Sound next weekend.