Hendrickson/Pflugerville Swing on Aug. 30 & 31
The Westlake Speech and Debate Team had quite a successful start to the competitive TFA season! The team won 3rd place overall on both the Hendrickson and the Pflugerville sides of the swing.
The students competing in Public Forum Debate led the way with two "closeouts" on both sides of the swing. A closeout is when only one school has competitors left in the tournament. Senior Miles Dintzner and Junior Jason Luo advanced to the finals of both sides of the swing. Senior Gunther Hess and Junior Xuechen Yin also advanced to the finals on one side of the swing and advanced to the semifinal round of the other side of the swing. Miles, Jason, Xuechen, and Gunther are all qualified for the TFA State Tournament in March as a result of their performance. Seniors Jaden Panicker and Preston Williams advanced to the final round on one side of the swing. Juniors Emma Guan and Teresa Luo advanced to the elimination rounds in both sides of the swing. Sophomores Allie Robinson and Caroline Wehring advanced to the quarterfinal round on one side of the swing. Sophomores Daniel Yang and Zain Syed advanced to the elimination rounds on one side of the swing. Sophomore Haley Clawsey and Cherie Wang advanced to the elimination rounds on one side of the swing. In terms of speaker awards, Miles Dintzner won top speaker on one side of the swing. In Novice Public Forum Debate, Shouro Shuvit and Zachary Simchak advanced to the final round. Romeer Pillay won top speaker on one side of the swing.
In Lincoln-Douglas Debate, many Westlake students advanced to the elimination rounds. Senior Andrew Lee won the tournament on one side of the swing and advanced to the semifinal round on the other side of the swing. Andrew is now qualified for the TFA State Tournament. Junior Ethan Abraham and freshman Anastasia Keeler advanced to the elimination rounds on one side of the swing.
Westlake was also able to notch some positive results in speech events. In Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking, Anthony York advanced to the final round. In Humorous Interpretation, competing in his first tournament, Sam Mayers advanced to the final round.
The team hopes to maintain the momentum as they travel to Dallas/Ft. Worth for the Grapevine Classic.
The students competing in Public Forum Debate led the way with two "closeouts" on both sides of the swing. A closeout is when only one school has competitors left in the tournament. Senior Miles Dintzner and Junior Jason Luo advanced to the finals of both sides of the swing. Senior Gunther Hess and Junior Xuechen Yin also advanced to the finals on one side of the swing and advanced to the semifinal round of the other side of the swing. Miles, Jason, Xuechen, and Gunther are all qualified for the TFA State Tournament in March as a result of their performance. Seniors Jaden Panicker and Preston Williams advanced to the final round on one side of the swing. Juniors Emma Guan and Teresa Luo advanced to the elimination rounds in both sides of the swing. Sophomores Allie Robinson and Caroline Wehring advanced to the quarterfinal round on one side of the swing. Sophomores Daniel Yang and Zain Syed advanced to the elimination rounds on one side of the swing. Sophomore Haley Clawsey and Cherie Wang advanced to the elimination rounds on one side of the swing. In terms of speaker awards, Miles Dintzner won top speaker on one side of the swing. In Novice Public Forum Debate, Shouro Shuvit and Zachary Simchak advanced to the final round. Romeer Pillay won top speaker on one side of the swing.
In Lincoln-Douglas Debate, many Westlake students advanced to the elimination rounds. Senior Andrew Lee won the tournament on one side of the swing and advanced to the semifinal round on the other side of the swing. Andrew is now qualified for the TFA State Tournament. Junior Ethan Abraham and freshman Anastasia Keeler advanced to the elimination rounds on one side of the swing.
Westlake was also able to notch some positive results in speech events. In Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking, Anthony York advanced to the final round. In Humorous Interpretation, competing in his first tournament, Sam Mayers advanced to the final round.
The team hopes to maintain the momentum as they travel to Dallas/Ft. Worth for the Grapevine Classic.
Grapevine Classic on Sept. 6 & 7
At the Grapevine Classic, Westlake experience some considerable success. The Public Forum Debate team of Senior Miles Dintzner and Junior Jason Luo advanced to the quarterfinal round, earning a Tournament of Champions bid. In order to completely qualify for the Tournament of Champions, students need two bids. Miles and Jason are halfway there. Senior Andrew Lee and Junior Ethan Abraham both advanced to the round of 32 in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Senior Gunther Hess and Junior Xuechen Yin advanced to the round of 32 in Public Forum Debate. Xuechen also was awarded 7th place speaker overall in Public Forum Debate. These are incredible results for these students at such a competitive tournament.
Lake Travis Cavalier Classic on Sept. 20 & 21
At the Lake Travis Cavalier Classic, the Westlake Speech and Debate Team picked up some TFA State qualifications and had some success in a variety of events.
Senior Anthony York advanced to the Semifinal round of Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking. Senior Maddie Szoo finished 3rd in Informative Speaking and 5th in Original Oratory. This is a nice start for Maddie. Freshman Aavni Kuppusamy finished 4th in Informative Speaking. In Public Forum Debate, Seniors Jaden Panicker and Preston Williams along with Senior Grant Hess and Junior Xuechen Yin advanced to the Semifinal round. Sophomores Caroline Wehring and Allie Robinson advanced to the Quarterfinal round.
Senior Anthony York advanced to the Semifinal round of Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking. Senior Maddie Szoo finished 3rd in Informative Speaking and 5th in Original Oratory. This is a nice start for Maddie. Freshman Aavni Kuppusamy finished 4th in Informative Speaking. In Public Forum Debate, Seniors Jaden Panicker and Preston Williams along with Senior Grant Hess and Junior Xuechen Yin advanced to the Semifinal round. Sophomores Caroline Wehring and Allie Robinson advanced to the Quarterfinal round.
Anderson Trojan Classic on Sept. 27 & 28
At the Anderson Trojan Classic, the Westlake Speech and Debate Team experienced more success at another local tournament.
Senior Maddie Szoo won both Original Oratory and Informative Speaking! This is an incredible result for Maddie! Westlake actually won the top three spots in Informative, with Junior Addie Cummings winning 2nd and Freshman Aavni Kuppusamy winning 3rd. Freshman Sophie McDuffee finished 7th in Original Oratory. Senior Liam McNamara won 6th Place in Humorous Interpretation. In Lincoln Douglas Debate, Juniors Ethan Abraham and Cassidy Reynolds advanced to the Semifinal and Quarterfinal rounds, respectively. In Public Forum Debate, Sophomores Daniel Yang and Zain Syed along with Junior Jason Luo and Sophomore Allie Robinson advanced to the Quarterfinal round. In Novice Public Forum Debate, Sophomore Alissa Shen and Freshman Drew Paulson won the entire tournament! Freshmen Ava Maples and Meg Callaway advanced to the Semifinal round.
Senior Maddie Szoo won both Original Oratory and Informative Speaking! This is an incredible result for Maddie! Westlake actually won the top three spots in Informative, with Junior Addie Cummings winning 2nd and Freshman Aavni Kuppusamy winning 3rd. Freshman Sophie McDuffee finished 7th in Original Oratory. Senior Liam McNamara won 6th Place in Humorous Interpretation. In Lincoln Douglas Debate, Juniors Ethan Abraham and Cassidy Reynolds advanced to the Semifinal and Quarterfinal rounds, respectively. In Public Forum Debate, Sophomores Daniel Yang and Zain Syed along with Junior Jason Luo and Sophomore Allie Robinson advanced to the Quarterfinal round. In Novice Public Forum Debate, Sophomore Alissa Shen and Freshman Drew Paulson won the entire tournament! Freshmen Ava Maples and Meg Callaway advanced to the Semifinal round.
Jack C. Hays Classic on Oct. 12
At the Jack C. Hays tournament, Westlake had another tremendous showing! Sophomores Zain Syed and Daniel Yang won the entire tournament in Public Forum Debate, Senior Grant Hess and Junior Will Dyck advanced to the final round in Public Forum Debate. This is what's called a Westlake closeout. Juniors Harvey Li and Justin Shim advanced to the Quarterfinal round of Public Forum Debate. In Novice Public Forum Debate, Freshmen Drew Paulson and Thomas Finke advanced to the Finals. In Original Oratory, Senior Maddie Szoo won 3rd place and Senior Jaden Panicker won 6th place. Maddie also won 1st place in Informative Speaking. Maddie is on a roll! In Domestic Extemporaneous speaking, Senior Emiliano Castillo won 2nd place in Domestic Extemporaneous speaking.
Vista Ridge on Oct. 19
Sophomores Caroline Wehring and Allie Robinson advanced to the Semifinal round of Public Forum Debate. Junior Teresa Luo and Sophomore Nathan Laude advanced to the Quarterfinal round of Public Forum Debate. 8th Grade student Anushka Godambe won the entire tournament in Original Oratory! 8th Grade student Miller Roberts advanced to the Quarterfinal round of Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate. Sophomore Sam Mayers got 3rd place in Humorous Interpretation. Freshmen Aavni Kuppusamy and Sarah Ryan won 5th and 6th in Informative Speaking, respectively.
Austin High Spooky Capital City Classic on Oct. 25 & 26
The Speech portion of the Westlake Speech and Debate Team performed incredibly well at the Austin High Spooky Cap City Classic. Westlake had many finalist in a variety of speech events. Sophomore Sam Mayers won second place in Humorous Interpretation, while Senior Liam McNamara finished 6th. In Informative Speaking, Freshman Aavni Kuppusamy won 2nd place and Freshman Sarah Ryan won 7th place. 8th Grade student Anushka Godambe won 6th in Prose Interpretation. In Lincoln Douglas Debate, Senior Melinda Vel advanced to the Quarterfinal round.
Plano West on Oct. 25 & 26
Plano West provided another great tournament for Westlake Public Forum. Senior Miles Dintzner and Junior Jason Luo advanced to the Semifinal round and earned another Tournament of Champions bid. Miles and Jason are now fully qualified for the TOC! Seniors Preston Williams and Jaden Panicker as well as Senior Grant Hess and Junior Xuechen Yin advanced to the Octafinal round of Public Forum Debate. Sophomores Haley Clawsie and Caroline Wehring advanced to the Double Octafinal round. Go Chaps!
Florida Blue Key Tournament and Round Robin on Oct. 31, Nov. 1-3
At the Florida Blue Key Round Robin portion of the tournament, Senior Miles Dintzner and Junior Jason Luo won the entire round robin! As they were up against some of the top teams in the tournament at the round robin, this is an amazing result for Miles and Jason.
In the actual tournament, which consisted of 180 entries, Miles and Jason advanced to the quarterfinal round and were both awarded top speakers! By advancing to the quarterfinal round, Miles and Jason earn another Tournament of Champions bid (their third). Seniors Jaden Panicker and Preston Williams advanced to the octafinal round of the tournament and earned their first Tournament of Champions bid. In Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Senior Andrew Lee advanced to the double octafinal round, so he was one of the final 32 competitors in LD. Westlake brought six Public Forum Debate teams and five of those teams advanced to the elimination rounds. Senior Grant Hess and Junior Xuechen Yin, Sophomores Caroline Wehring and Allie Robinson, and Zain Syed and Daniel Yang all advanced to the first elimination round - the triple octafinal round.
In the actual tournament, which consisted of 180 entries, Miles and Jason advanced to the quarterfinal round and were both awarded top speakers! By advancing to the quarterfinal round, Miles and Jason earn another Tournament of Champions bid (their third). Seniors Jaden Panicker and Preston Williams advanced to the octafinal round of the tournament and earned their first Tournament of Champions bid. In Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Senior Andrew Lee advanced to the double octafinal round, so he was one of the final 32 competitors in LD. Westlake brought six Public Forum Debate teams and five of those teams advanced to the elimination rounds. Senior Grant Hess and Junior Xuechen Yin, Sophomores Caroline Wehring and Allie Robinson, and Zain Syed and Daniel Yang all advanced to the first elimination round - the triple octafinal round.
The Bowie/St. Michael's Swing Tournament on Nov. 8 & 9
At the Bowie/St. Michael's swing on the weekend of November 8th and 9th, the Westlake Speech and Debate Team was able to gain quite a few TFA State Qualifications through some amazing results!
On the St. Michael's side of the swing:
Senior Maddie Szoo won first in Informative Speaking. Junior Addie Cummings finished 3rd in Informative Speaking. Maddie also won 3rd in Original Oratory and 5th in Program Oral Interpretation. In Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Freshman Anastasia Keeler advanced to the Quarterfinal Round. In Public Forum, Sophomores Zain Syed and Daniel Yang advanced to the Quarterfinal Round. The two World Schools Debate teams advanced to the Semifinal Round. Congratulations to Robin Rubchenko, Josie Maples, Grady Chirogianis, Will Dyck, Anthony York, Liam McNamara, and Emiliano Castillo.
On the Bowie side of the swing:
Anastasia Keeler advanced to the Quarterfinal Round in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Zain Syed and Daniel Yang advanced to the Semifinal Round of Public Forum Debate. Informative Speaking, Addie Cummings won 1st Place, Maddie Szoo won 4th Place, Aavni Kuppusamy won 5th Place, and Persephone Jordano won 6th Place,
On the St. Michael's side of the swing:
Senior Maddie Szoo won first in Informative Speaking. Junior Addie Cummings finished 3rd in Informative Speaking. Maddie also won 3rd in Original Oratory and 5th in Program Oral Interpretation. In Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Freshman Anastasia Keeler advanced to the Quarterfinal Round. In Public Forum, Sophomores Zain Syed and Daniel Yang advanced to the Quarterfinal Round. The two World Schools Debate teams advanced to the Semifinal Round. Congratulations to Robin Rubchenko, Josie Maples, Grady Chirogianis, Will Dyck, Anthony York, Liam McNamara, and Emiliano Castillo.
On the Bowie side of the swing:
Anastasia Keeler advanced to the Quarterfinal Round in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Zain Syed and Daniel Yang advanced to the Semifinal Round of Public Forum Debate. Informative Speaking, Addie Cummings won 1st Place, Maddie Szoo won 4th Place, Aavni Kuppusamy won 5th Place, and Persephone Jordano won 6th Place,
The Glenbrooks on Nov. 17-19
At the Glenbrooks Tournament in Chicago, one of the most competitive tournaments of the year, Seniors Preston Williams and Jaden Panicker advanced to the Semifinal Round of Public Forum Debate. At such a competitive tournament, this is an amazing result for these two hard-working Seniors. While on the subject of hard-working Seniors, Maddie Szoo advanced to the Semifinal Round of Informative Speaking. By advancing to the top 12 speakers at the Glenbrooks, Maddie has established herself as one of the top speakers in the country! Senior Miles Dintzner and Junior Jason Luo and Senior Grant Hess and Junior Xuechen Yin advanced to the Octafinal Round of Public Forum Debate. All of these students earned TOC bids for these results.
The University of Texas Longhorn Classic on Dec. 6-7
At the University of Texas Longhorn Classic, the Westlake Speech and Debate Team had many positive results. Senior Maddie Szoo won 3rd Place overall in Original Oratory and advanced to the Semifinal Round of Informative Speaking and the Quarterfinal Round of Program Oral Interpretation. Seniors Jaden Panicker and Preston Williams advanced to the Octafinal Round of Public Forum Debate. Sophomores Caroline Wehring and Allie Robinson advanced to the Double Octafinal Round of Public Forum Debate.
Stony Point/Round Rock Swing on Jan. 4 & 5
At the Stony Point/Round Rock Swing Tournament during the Winter break, Westlake kept up its momentum from the Fall Semester.
On the Round Rock side of the swing:
Freshman Anastasia Keeler advanced to the Final Round of Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Junior Faizaan Dossani advanced to the Quarterfinal Round in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. In Public Forum Debate, Sophomores Daniel Yang and Nathan Laude won the entire tournament, and Sophomore Haley Clawsie and Freshman Cherie Wang advanced to the Quarterfinal Round. In Original Oratory, middle schooler Anushka Godambe won 6th Place.
On the Stony Point side of the swing:
Sophomores Arnold and Albert Nguyen won the entire tournament in Public Forum Debate. Sophomores Daniel Yang and Nathan Laude advanced to the Quarterfinal Round of Public Forum Debate.
On the Round Rock side of the swing:
Freshman Anastasia Keeler advanced to the Final Round of Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Junior Faizaan Dossani advanced to the Quarterfinal Round in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. In Public Forum Debate, Sophomores Daniel Yang and Nathan Laude won the entire tournament, and Sophomore Haley Clawsie and Freshman Cherie Wang advanced to the Quarterfinal Round. In Original Oratory, middle schooler Anushka Godambe won 6th Place.
On the Stony Point side of the swing:
Sophomores Arnold and Albert Nguyen won the entire tournament in Public Forum Debate. Sophomores Daniel Yang and Nathan Laude advanced to the Quarterfinal Round of Public Forum Debate.
Churchill Classic on Jan. 11 & 12
At the Winston Churchill Classic, Westlake experienced even more success. In Public Forum Debate, Senior Grant Hess and Junior Xuechen Yin earned a TOC bid by co-championing the entire tournament. Seniors Preston Williams and Jaden Panicker advanced to the Quarterfinal Round. Senior Miles Dintzner and Junior Jason Luo and Senior Emma Hammerness and Sophomore Jawad Bataineh advanced to the Octafinal Round. In Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Senior Andrew Lee and Freshman Anastasia Keeler advanced to the Double Octafinal Round. In Public Forum Debate, In Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking, Junior Emma Guan advanced to the Semifinal Round. In Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking, Senior Anthony York advanced to the Quarterfinal Round. In Informative Speaking, Junior Addie Cummings won 6th Place.
McNeil on Jan. 17-18
At the McNeil Tournament, the Westlake Speech and Debate Team won 1st Place Sweeps! Two World Schools Debate Teams finished first and second overall. The first place team was Robin Rubchenko, Josie Maples, Grady Chirogianis, Will Dyck, and Dylan Scott, and the second place team was Anthony York, Zachary Simchak, Thomas Finke, and Bowie Fritsch. In Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Junior Faizaan Dossani won the entire tournament. Juniors Abhinav Rachakonda and Ethan Abraham advanced to the Quarterfinal Round of Lincoln-Douglas Debate. In Public Forum Debate, Sophomores Justin Shim and Leo Weihe won the entire tournament. Sophomore Nathan Laude and Freshman Alex Rodgers advanced to the Semifinal Round. In Humorous Interpretation, Sophomore Sam Mayers won the entire tournament, while Senior Liam McNamara finished 2nd. In Prose Interpretation, Freshman Charles Guo won 7th Place.
