The Michigan State University debate team finished in the top 16 out of 78 teams competing at the National Debate Tournament held at the University of Kansas over the weekend.
Honors College physics sophomore Evan Runburg and his teammate, social relations and public policy sophomore Luc Walkington, defeated teams from
Stanford University, Gonzaga University, Wake Forest University, Wayne State University, the University of Wyoming and the University of Kentucky during the preliminary and elimination rounds.
Runburg and Walkington were defeated in the octo-finals by a team from Wake Forest University.
James Madison freshman Lena Grossman and her teammate, accounting sophomore Christian Rodriguez, also competed for MSU at the tournament.
Overall, 43 colleges debated the pros and cons of the United States establishing a domestic climate policy, which was this season’s topic.
“I’m proud of the way our students competed,” said Debate Head Coach Will Repko. “Both of our teams were well prepared for the competition and represented Michigan State University well.”
The MSU debate team is a part of the Honors College.
Billboard photo by Joe A. Getto.