The Manhattan High debate team is moving full speed ahead in their competition season, taking on Clay Center High and Maize High School this weekend, their last regular competitions before National Qualifiers next weekend. 

“The regular debate season has absolutely flown by,” said head coach Mac Phrommany. “It seems just yesterday we were at the first tournament of the season.”

GRADE Ben Whitten and sophomore Megan Long placed third in the Open Division at Clay Center, accompanied in their success by GRADE Vinny Sun and senior Carolyn Semmel, who made the quarterfinals at Maize. According to Phrommany, Sun and Semmel are being considered for a spot on the MHS state team to compete in the novice tournament.

These wins come after the debate team’s second-place overall win at the J. Matt Hill Invitational before Thanksgiving break on Nov. 20-21, where MHS Varsity pair senior Trinity Brockman and sophomore Sam Delong — who have made head-turning success in debate this season — made their way to the semi-final round. 

Manhattan High debate will continue next weekend, sending eight students to the National Qualifier competition.