Xavier Hosts Speech and Debate Tournament 

By Billy Malewich ’12

On October 29, for the first and only time this season, Xavier hosted the New York Catholic Forensic League on 16th Street. The league brings together some of the best and brightest minds across the five boroughs to compete in speech and debate tournaments. With more than 10 teams competing, including 21 Xavier students, last Saturday's event featured some of the top high school talent in the area.

Individual Xavier competitors did very well, with the following students making it to the finals of their respective events: Joe Martorano ’19, Robert Pedersen ’17, Joseph Murgida ’17, Phil Ruddy ’17, and Charles Caso ’17. Pedersen, Murgida, Ruddy, and Caso also received half-quals to the championship, points that they earned to qualify for nationals. Congratulations to the students on a job well done, and be sure to look out for the speech and debate team as its members go forward to compete every other Saturday all around New York City.

Speech and debate team moderator Mayce Makani expressed her gratitude to coaches Jeremy Norris '98 and Don Hooper ’97 as well as team parents for their time and devotion. “Your passion and dedication to the team does not go unnoticed,” she said. “The entire team really appreciates all of the effort as well as the patience and generosity of the faculty, staff, and maintenance crew for making the day a success."

For news about upcoming tournaments for the speech and debate team, please visit http://www.nycfl.org.