Eastview High Schooler Wins State Lincoln-Douglas Debate Title

junior Ashesh Rambachan won the state championship in Lincoln-Douglas debate at the state debate tournament on Saturday at the University of Minnesota, according to a District 196 news release.

Rambachan beat out students from , Blaine and Robbinsdale Armstrong high schools in the final rounds of the competition, the release says.

In Lincoln-Douglas debate, students argue the merits of values like liberty or justice.

This year's resolution was, “Resolved: It is morally permissible for victims to use deadly force as a deliberate response to repeated domestic violence.” Rambachan argued in the negative.

Rambachan went into the finals seeded fifth of eight students; in the quarterfinal round, he earned a 3-0 win over the fourth-seeded competitor from Blaine, the release says. In the semifinals, Rambachan defeated top-seeded Luke Stuttgen of Apple Valley 3-2 score, then defeated the third seed from Robbinsdale Armstrong 5-2 in the final round.

John Granlund of Apple Valley High School was also among the eight finalists, according to the release.

Six of the 24 state qualifiers in Lincoln-Douglas were from District 196, the release says, including Eastview's Ryan Mather.

This was the 111th annual state debate tournament, the longest running event of the Minnesota State High School League.