Harrison Debate Continues to Build on Success

The following was contributed by the Harrison Central School District. to see how you can post your news to Patch.

The Harrison debate team continues to blaze a trail through the most competitive tournaments in the region, winning the varsity division of the Regis High School tournament.

In this division, Harrison captured both first and second place. Senior Ashley Muller was undefeatedin all rounds and was named the tournament champion. This was Muller’s first varsity championship.

Junior Peri Mendelsohn, who was also undefeated, was the tournament’s runner-up.

Harrison also nabbed second place in the Novice division. Freshman Erica LaManna was undefeated and was named the tournament’s runner up. Freshman Emma LaBarbera placed 8th after also finishing undefeated. Freshman Amy Geller, Kiana Comizio and Tory Tiburzi all had winning records, each only losing one round.

At the Princeton University three-day debate, Harrison brought 12 debaters to the competition and not one had a losing record. In the varsity division, which featured 140 of the top debaters in the region, sophomore Danny DeBois reached octofinals (top 16) and was named the tournament’s third speaker.

Seniors Christina Loguidice and Ally Brabant both reached double-octofinals, and Brabant was named the tournament’s seventh place speaker.

In the novice division at Princeton, which featured 116 competitors, freshmen Erica LaManna and Tory Tiburzi both reached the quarterfinals (top 8) and LaManna was named the tournament’s first place speaker. Freshmen Kiana Comizio and Michael Scoli both reached the octofinals or top 16.

“We are so excited to see so many students doing well in our growing program,” said advisor Chetan Hertzig. “We look forward to continuing that success in the New Year.”

The teams will be resting over the holiday break for a grueling winter schedule that will include debates at Lexington, Massacheusetts, Columbia University and Harvard University.