CRLS recently made an impressive entry into the Lincoln Douglas (LD) debate when five novice debaters competed in their first-ever tournament. The milestone event showcased the growth and enthusiasm of the new debate team members, who represented CRLS with skill and poise beyond their level of experience.
Krissie Alexis ’26, a varsity public forum debater and one of the team leaders, told the Register Forum, “The novice LD debaters did surprisingly well, especially for beginners.” She then added, “Someone even scored a perfect three-out-of-three wins which is a great achievement.” Alexis reflects on the team’s success, highlighting that it was inspiring and encouraging to see these first-time debaters invest fully in the tournament, even as they faced unfamiliar challenges.
Benjamin Liang ‘27, another varsity public forum debater, highlighted the remarkable transformation he witnessed in the new debaters. “They started nervous and unsure of what they were stepping into, but they left with their heads high and a much better sense of their potential” Liang said,“One of the best parts of watching them compete was seeing how their confidence grew with each round.”
Before the tournament, many of the novices entered with limited expectations due to their little experience, but the event helped transform their understanding and approach to debate. “They went in not knowing exactly what to expect,” Alexis shared, “But now they’re able to expand their thinking and ask more advanced questions about debate strategy and case development.” For these beginners, the tournament was an eye-opening experience, imparting them with valuable insights and a deeper interest in debate.
As Liang put it, “This tournament wasn’t just about winning or losing rounds—it was about discovering their potential and building a foundation for future success. The way they embraced the challenge is something the whole team can be proud of.”
Alexis concluded, “I’m really proud of how much they’ve improved and how invested they’ve become.” Just like as Alexis shares, this first tournament will become a significant growth and learning moment. The novice debaters left with a stronger foundation and a clearer sense of what it takes to succeed in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate and, hopefully, will continue to bring back victories and achievements to celebrate.
The tournament served as more than just a competitive event for the novice debaters; it was a critical learning experience that laid the groundwork for their future in debate. Competing in a high-pressure environment pushed the students to think quickly, adapt to unexpected arguments, and refine their speaking skills in real time. The success of the novice team is a promising sign of CRLS’ debate program, underscoring the potential for future growth and achievements. As these debaters continue to develop their skills, they aim to bring even greater recognition to the CRLS debate team in upcoming tournaments.
