Above: Members of the Speech and Debate team depart for States.

Speech and Debate Team Earns Accolades at States

By Michael P. Batten '10


On April 25, the Xavier Speech and Debate team traveled upstate to SUNY Oneonta to compete in the two-day New York State Grand Championship Tournament, also known as States. This was the last tournament of the year for Xavier Speech and Debate, as well as the culmination to a successful season. 

Competing at States is a considerable achievement by itself. To compete at States, a student must demonstrate sustained excellence by qualifying at a number of tournaments held throughout the academic year. This year, Xavier Speech and Debate sent more students to States than it had in recent memory. Fifteen team members qualified for this year’s tournament, nearly four times greater than the number of qualifiers three years ago. At States, Xavier succeeded on all fronts, with many competitors placing among the top in the state despite facing heightened competition. 

The individual accomplishments are numerous. Justin Westbrook-Lowery ’16 took second place in the state in Student Congress. According to head coach and mathematics teacher Edward Walsh, this was the highest individual achievement a Xavier student has earned at States in recent years. Several other Xavier competitors performed also remarkably well at States, including Malcolm Queneau ’15, a finalist in Impromptu Speaking, Joseph Papeo ’16, a semifinalist in Extemporaneous Speech, and Joseph Murgida ’17, a semifinalist in Student Congress.  

This season has been quite successful for Xavier Speech and Debate. The team has both grown in size and improved in ability. Looking back at the season, Mr. Walsh could not help but recognize the collective improvement that Xavier Speech and Debate experienced. “Leading up to States,” Mr. Walsh said, “the team prepared much more than they had in the past. They committed to several after-school practices a week. Most importantly, each team member showed a strong individual and team-based commitment to succeed.”

With another season in the books, the team now must look forward to next year. Xavier Speech and Debate should be in excellent hands, with a number of talented underclassmen who are excited to lead the way. No matter what lies ahead, their performance at States will be forever etched into the team’s memory. “I was blessed to compete against very talented people,” Westbrook-Lowery said. “It proved to be an invaluable experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”