Miami in the Motor City

Several Miami teams competed at the Wayne State tournament in Detroit, Michigan a couple of weeks ago. The Wayne State tournament is the premier first-semester District Five tournament, attracting teams from all across the Midwest and beyond.

Miami's team of Ilya Galperin and Aaron Vinson achieved a 6-2 record cleared for the second time this year. Ilya was named the Second Speaker at the tournament. Two other teams from Miami attended - "The Mikes" - Mike Jensen and Michael Richardson went 3-5, and Lydia Elkins and Julie Wickenheiser were 4-4 in the JV division.

Here is our photojournal:

Director of Forensics, Ben Voth with Aaron Vinson.

Michael Richardson apparently giving Ilya a close shave.

A wide-awake Aaron and Ilya.

Mike Richardson prepping.

Lydia at lunch.

Ilya and Aaron, who went 6-2.

We think Michael was dressed like this for Halloween, although we're not completely sure.

Ilya Galperin, second speaker.

The coaching staff cuts it loose at a "loud Mexican restaurant". That's "Disco" Ben Voth and assistant coach Erika Thomas.

Harvard

Mike Maffie and Kevin Wieck represented Miami at the Harvard University tournament. And while our competitive success was not what we would have liked, we did have a wonderful time. Afterall, the Harvard folks know how to throw a great tournament, and it was Halloween weekend. (see the pictures below of debaters wearing costumes.)

We were joined that weekend by one of our recruits, Chris Barnett, a debater from St. John's Jesuit in Toledo.

Kevin and Chris before the tournament.

Mike Maffie working before the tournament.

Driving in to the tournament on day one, this the famous and beautiful Charles River.

Here is picture of part of Harvard Square.

Starting the halloween theme - Will Repko (Michigan State) as Speed Racer.

Two goulish fellows from Texas.

Casey "Peter Pan" Harrigan (Michigan State) and Matt "Hook" Bostick (Missouri State).

Michael Rasta Klinger, Harvard.

The Devil made Sarah Holbrook do this.

A rougher version of the Easter Bunny, David Strauss, former NDT Champion.

Mike Hester scarily representing the Bird Flu.

Scenic Harvard Yard.

Kevin and Mike debating.

More Harvard Yard.

The world-famous Widenor Library.

The Harvard tournament is well-known for Sherry Hall's outdoor home-cooked lunches. Here's the set up on day two.

Two of our workshop grads from Lexington High School, Will Sears and Sam Caporal, showed up to watch some rounds. Here's Sam.

Sherry serving up some good cooking.

More costumes:



Here are our most gracious hosts for the weekend, Sherry Hall and Dallas Perkins, at the final awards banquet.

Kentucky and Loyola

On October 7 through 9 we competed at the University of Kentucky tournament, which had over 100 teams, including virtually every good team in the nation.

We had four teams compete that weekend, including Ilya and Aaron; Mike and Mike; Stephen Soloman and Jon Gair; and Mike and Kevin. We don't have any pictures right now from that weekend, but we did have some significant accomplishments.

Mike and Kevin cleared as one of the top 32 teams and debated Berkeley in the Double-Octas. We lost a close elimination round debate to the very team that eventually won the tournament.

Two weekends later we took two teams to the Loyola tournament in Chicago.

Mike Richardson and Mike Jensen went 4-2 in the prelims. Jon Gair and Aaron Vinson also went 4-2 in prelims. The Mikes won two elimination rounds before losing in the semi-finals. Jon and Aaron lost in the quarterfinals.

Aaron Vinson did win Top Speaker at the tournament.

Here is our photojournal:

Here we are outside the van before leaving on the trip.

We hit a huge traffic jam just outside of downtown Chicago which caused a three-hour delay.

Ever resourceful, the debaters passed the time being schooled in Monopoly by Mike Richardson.

Here are Aaron and Jon as we ate dinner at White Castle on Thursday night.

Here is some pre-tournament preparation in the beautiful Cass Hotel.

Here we are working in the lobby before the tournament started.

A dinner photo - at original Uno's pizza - famous for inventing deep-dish pizza in Chicago.

During the tournament we were able to work on the wireless network at Loyola. Here, Head Debate Coach, Steve Mancuso cuts a few cards (and maybe also checking out a few college football scores).

Aaron Vinson and his Top Speaker Award.

Jon and Aaron prepping for their Elimination Round.

The Mikes prepping for their Elimination Round.

Finally, the famous Sears Tower, not so impressive up close...