Debate Team Posts Historic Marks at Barkley Forum

The Greenhill Debate Team made history at the Barkley Forum for High Schools held at Emory University this past weekend after winning two division titles during the competition.In Policy Debate, the team of Samuel Grimsley '18 and Chris Eckert '19 went undefeated during the preliminary rounds before defeating a team from Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, TN) in the final round. Grimsley and Eckert won a 12-7 decision of the adjudicators of KEY Coaches, which is the most distinguished group of coaches attending the Barkley Forum to claim the championship. The topic of debate for the Greenhill teammates was "Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United States." This marked the second Octofinal Bid Tourmament that Grimsley and Eckert have championed this year. Ocotfinals are the most competitive as definited by the Tournament of Champions.Shruthi Krishnan '18 captured the Lincoln Douglas Division championship on an unanimous decision of KEY Coaches over her opportunity from Science Park High School (Newark, N.J.). In the championship round, Shruthi defended the affirmative side of the topic, "Resolved: Plea bargaining ought to be abolished in the United Stats criminal justice system." This was the third Octofinal Tournament that Krishnan has captured this year. Overall, Krishnan has amassed one of the best competitive records of any Lincoln Douglas student in recent years.In addition, the team of Samar Ahmad '19 and Ali Khambati '18 earned a berth in the Quarterfinals of the Policy Debate.The Debate Team will be winding down its regular-season events in preparation for the beginning of the Texas Forensic Association State Tournament in March where over 20 Greenhill debate students have qualified to compete.