BLAST OFF IN BUFFALO
5th Varsity, 1st JV, 3rd Novice

The University of Vermont debate team did very well in Buffalo last weekend, but it was difficult to match the high expectations that had been set. Although UVM did better than any other school not everyone met their expectations. There is still a lot of work to do and many skills to polish.
The varsity team of Jason Hitchcock and Nick Landsman-Roos lost in the quarterfinals to Case Western University on a 3-0 decision, which was a disappointment to these two hard-workers. They thus finished FIFTH. Other varsity teams consisted of JV debaters who are determined to debate varsity as much as possible to prepare for a UVM "four-peat" at JV nationals next spring. Leslie Keller and Megan Harlow were 2-4 as were Chase Whiting and Shane Clark. In speaker awards Nick was second, Shane was fourth and Chase was tenth. "The younger teams are making great progress," noted Snider, "and will be reaching elims in varsity soon, and should be very ready for JV nationals. Their big needs now are to work on specific skills and keeping their spirits up."
The junior varsity team of Stephanie Kimerer (last year's novice national champion) and Jeffrey Wilson (a first year student from NYC who was coached by alumna Meredith Parmett) won the tournament, defeating West Point in the final round to place FIRST. Their record for the tournament was 9-1. The team of Julia Benjamin and Toni Pignatelli (who is a novice) were 3-3 and the team of Zoe Anderson and Ethan Kichura (in his first tournament for UVM) were 2-4. "All three teams did well," said Snider, "and Steff & Jeff are probably ready for varsity now. Toni, Zoe and Ethan have a lot of rust to knock off their skills and Julia is bravely pursuing new argumentative approaches, so there is a lot of hope for all of them."
The novice team of Matt Jokajtys and Sam Lavallee lots to tournament champion Vanderbilt on a 2-1 decision in the semifinals to finish THIRD. Sam was at his first debate tournament ever. Other novice teams were at their first tournament and had their introduction to college policy debate. Taylor Laleman and Eric Hoke along with Ashley Corcoran and Eleanor Chapman went 2-4 and seemed to enjoy the experience. Alex Thibault and Justin Brown were 1-5 but declared that their debating got better with each round. "We are not hat concerned about wins at the first novice tournament," said Snider, "but helping people have a good time and grasping the basics. I think that this group did that very successfully. We try and teach the right skills early on so that they can do well later, unlike some of our competition who seem more interested in early cheap wins. We'll stick with our way because it works. Reading arguments prepared by coaches doesn't team them how to debate, and ultimately that is what they will have to do at the end of the year." Matt Jokajtys was the third speaker.
Special thanks have to go to the coaches and judges who came and helped, including alumnae Emily Sanders and Greta Lockwood as well as experienced debaters Colin Kern and Ethan Nelson. "The most impressive thing among the coaches," smiled Snider, "was the fantastic job done by Justin Morgan Parmett. You see why he was 'coach of the year' in the East last year. He is focused, patient, relaxed and totally prepared, helping everyone else to be that way as well. His coaching in the elimination rounds is especially impressive. We are very lucky to have both he and Helen with us."
The distance driven and the late departure from Buffalo highlights a real problem facing the team -- the last van arrived home at about 7 AM Monday morning. Every agrees that we need to continue to emphasize travel safety.
The overall record was 32-36, very good for a tournament where there were nine students traveling for the first time.

SPEAK OUTS THIS WEEK

Thursday between 1-3 PM there will be a speak-out. Posters available for distribution on Tuesday. Everyone needs to attend to speak out, help run things, and help gather signatures of attendees. If we gather 100 signatures we will receive $500 from the UN Foundation for sponsoring the event. Brady is in charge and has a sound system.

Julia Benjamin is also organizing a speak out to follow the Newt Gingrich speech on Thursday night. Everyone is also encouraged to attend and speak their mind.

<=== Alumna Jen Knops speaks at a previous speak out.