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news
Debate team nabs
two titles
By Christine
Shin
On-line Forty-Niner
The Cal State Long
Beach Forensic Team seized not one, but two prestigious championship
titles last weekend.
Four CSULB team
members grabbed first place, winning the Novice Policy State
Champions title at the first ever statewide championship in
policy debate. The competition, which was held at Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo, was centered on U.S. developmental assistance
policies with Africa. Eric Maag, along with Heidi Ramer, Nader
Haddad and David Wiltz were the victors.
CSULB also defended
its regional title at the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensic
Association's Spring Regional Championships. The speech and
debate team won by a margin of more than 20 points ahead of
second place Azusa Pacific University and third place Pt.
Loma Nazarene University. Hosted by CSU Northridge last weekend,
the PSCFA regional tournament included 38 colleges and universities
from Southern California, Arizona and Utah.
Additionally, MyHanh
Vu, president of the squad, came in second place for the Carl
Bovero Award, which recognizes successful competitors that
are also humanitarians in their community.
Team director Matt
Taylor said he was proud of his team's accomplishments.
"I feel like
a proud parent," Taylor said. "These kids work extremely
hard at what they do. It's very rewarding that all the work
we've done and all the sacrifices we've made are being recognized
by our peers and colleagues."
While most schools
averaged six to 12 awards, CSULB brought home 39 awards from
13 different categories, including poetry, prose, and programmed
oral interpretation.
"All of our
success is due to the support that we get from this university
and this community," Taylor said. "From the resources
to the personnel, I can't underestimate how important it is
just knowing that they care."
With the assistance
of nine graduate student coaches, the team practices seven
hours weekly, along with individual office hours, to research,
strategize and rehearse.
"It's fun,
but very competitive and frustrating at times," Maag
said. "But, you get better and it pays off. I've learned
a lot about Africa, which has definitely broadened my mind
more."
Maag, along with
the rest of the 37 "intellectual sport" members
will be preparing for their goal to finish in the top 20 out
of the 360 national colleges and universities that academically
compete in forensics, Taylor said.
"We ask a
tremendous amount from these kids," Taylor said. "
To see those sacrifices count, it makes you realize why you
come to work everyday."
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