Whitman Forensics Newsletter

Vol. 11, No. 2, June, 2005

 

 

 

Bridget, Alex, Chandra, Rob, Jeff, Chris, Nav, Beth, and Steve. Nine members of our NUMBER ONE PARLI TEAM IN THE NATION!

 

Whitman is the Number 1 Parli Team in the Nation

Bridget and Scooter advance to Finals at NPDA Nats!

Whether it is because of the dedicated and handsome coaches or the sheer talent of the debaters, the parli side of the squad closed out the season with impressive performances at both the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence (NPTE) and the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) nationals. In overall sweepstakes points, Whitman was ranked the number one team in the nation!

This year, the NPTE, run by our own illustrious Jim Hanson, was in White Bear Lake, Minnesota at Century College. The NPTE is the most challenging tournament of the year. Only the top 48 teams in the nation get invited. Scott “Scooter” Thompson, Bridget Kustin, Beth Pearson, and Chris Chamness all represented Whitman in the debates. In addition to the usual coaching staff, alums David Kearney and Keola Whittaker and current students Chandra Carlisle and Alex Bollinger came to help. Scott and Bridget made it several elimination rounds and received 12th place after losing a close debate to Western Kentucky. Beth and Chris placed 29th but did not participate in the elimination rounds.

At NPDA Nats, the largest tournament of the year and held in Lubbock, Texas at Texas Tech, Whitman was represented by Scooter, Bridget, Beth, Chris, Chandra Carlisle, Rob Olsen, Jeff Wilson, Alex Bollinger, Stephen Reed, and Nav Rekhi. Unfortunately, Jim Hanson could not attend because he was coaching the policy debaters in San Francisco—so assistant coach David Guidry took on the difficult task of coaching and supervising ten college debaters. Despite not having enough coaching, the team did exceedingly well. Stephen, Nav, Jeff, and Alex had some tough debates and narrowly missed making it to the elimination rounds. Beth, Chris, Chandra, and Rob debated two of the best teams in the country and lost in the second elimination round. Bridget and Scott, however, could not be stopped. They kept winning elim after elim round until they found themselves in front of an auditorium full of people debating Lewis and Clark College in the finals. Whitman was on the opposition debating the resolution: “Shame on Harvard.” Lewis and Clark argued that the president of Harvard College should be fired because of comments he made regarding women and their performance in science and math. At the end of the debate, Lewis and Clark ended up winning on a heart breaking five to four decision. Still, we were very proud of this amazing accomplishment for Bridget, Scooter, and the whole team!

 

 

 

Whitman rocks the house at CEDA Nats and the NDT

The Whitman Policy Debate schedule ended this year with back-to-back national tournaments and impressive performances by all teams.

CEDA Nationals was held in San Francisco at SFSU. Whitman matched all comers by clearing as many teams to outrounds as Dartmouth, Michigan State and UC Berkeley. First year debaters Mike Meredith and Eric Chalfant managed five preliminary wins and a triple octofinals appearance signalling that the future of Whitman debate is bright. 

Ben, Mike, Matt, Meghan with Rob and Andrew in the background at the end of the year party.

Meghan Hughes, sophomore, and Andrew Stokes, frosh, narrowly missed elims going 4-4. Sophomores Ross Richendrfer and Matt Schissler coupled a 6-2 prelim record and triples win before losing a hotly contested 2-1 decision to Dartmouth. A double octofinals appearance ended the year for Ross and Matt but they served notice that they would be back in the Fall. Eric Suni and Beth Schueler also went 6-2 and won their triple and double octofinals rounds before losing to Cal Berkeley, the eventual champions. Junior Jeff Buntin and Sophomore Ben Meiches went 7-1 and scored wins in triples, doubles, and octas. This created a match up versus Harvard's top team which unfortunately ended Ben and Jeff's run in quarters. After CEDA Nationals, the team flew back to Spokane for the NDT where Eric and Beth and Jeff and Ben represented Whitman in the field of seventy six teams. With Matt, Ross, Meghan, Andrew, Mike and Eric spent 16 hour days helping with researching and scouting, Eric and Beth advanced over Wayne State in doubles before a very close octas debate with Northwestern BM. The decision took nearly the maximum allotted time, and Eric and Beth once again lost to the eventual winners of the tournament. It was a fine year for Whitman Policy Debate and with the addition of some hotshot first years, next year promises to be even better with everyone but Beth, who sadly graduates, returning.

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew and Jim before he got his hair cut.

 

 

Joe leaves for Florida.  Dave returns.

 

Staff: Jim Hanson, Director of Forensics, Joe Carver, Assistant Policy Coach; David Guidry, Assistant Parliamentary and I.E. Coach; Andrew Lum, Student Assistant and Intramural Debate Manager; Rob Olsen, Student Sweepstakes Assistant, Katie Imbeau, Dramatic Interpretation Student Assistant; Bob Withycombe, Professor, Rhetoric and Film Studies; Pat Keef, Dean of Faculty, Chuck Cleveland, Dean of Students; and Thomas Cronin, President, Whitman College.

BIGGEST EVER! 52 Competitors, 2004-05: Abram Conant, Alex Bollinger, Andrew Deming, Andrew Hookum, Andrew Kelly, Andrew Lum, Andrew Stokes, Anne Hickman, Ben Meiches, Beth Pearson, Beth Schueler, Bridget Kustin, Cat Posey, Chandra Carlisle, Chris Chamness, Chris Fryefield, Curt Bowen, Dan Shaw, Danielle Williamson, Dawn Holmes, Eric Chalfant, Eric Suni, Hannah Elisha, Hugo Vargas, Jackie Jenkins, James Hovard, Jeff Buntin, Jeff Wilson, Jordan Kline, Joseph Bornstein, Kathryn Bergh, Kern McGee, Kyle Gotchy, Laura Buriu, Laura Hanson, Lauren McElroy, Lazaro Carrion, Margi Bhatt, Matt Schissler, Meghan Hughes, Mike Meredith, Nat Jacob, Nikita Parekh, Patrick Carter, Rob Olsen, Robert Crenshaw, Ross Richendrfer, Sally Sorte, Sarah Golden, Sarah McCarthy, Scott Thompson, Stephen Reed

 

End of the Year Party

Jim hosted the end of the year party providing great food and recognition for the many seniors who graduated as well as Joe Carver who moves on to a coaching and teaching job in Florida. The team was treated to lasagna, ribs, green beans, appetizers, and desserts. After stuffing themselves full of delicious food, the team gathered around to share in the warm glow of some good natured fun with the traditional “Awards Ceremony.”  This year, Joe and Dave presented the awards and managed to embarrass multiple team members for their special performances during the year.  For example, Robert Crenshaw was awarded “Best Laugh Ever”. The team followed the awards ceremony by watching the infamous debate movie “Listen to Me.”

 

Saying Goodbye to the Seniors

Whitman debate will be losing many cherished members this year as they leave their collegiate careers behind and enter the “real world.”

·        Joe Carver: Whitman’s policy assistant for the past two years will be leaving to take a position coaching debate at an all women’s high school in Florida. This year, Joe was named assistant coach of the year at the Weber policy round robin. We’ll miss Joe’s great personality and late expense report forms! J

·        Katie Imbeau: Even though Katie couldn’t help us rack up those sweepstakes points by competing because of her tireless dedication to the theatre program, she’s been an inspirational interp coach the last couple of years. She’ll be going to Xi’an China next year to teach English through the Whitman in China program.

·        Alex Bollinger: Alex started out in policy debate after transferring from Arizona State but found his true calling in parliamentary debate and NFA-LD. Among other tournaments, Alex won the NFA-LD tournament at Point Loma and was in elims at the Hatfields. Next year, Alex will teach English in Brittany, France.

·        Beth Pearson: After four years of leadership on campus and on the debate team, Beth is packing her bags and heading to jolly old England to participate in the elite Rhodes Scholar program. This year, Beth and her partner, sophomore Chris Chamness, qualified for the NPTE and NPDA Elims.

·        Beth Schueler: Beth debated on the policy side of the program and qualified for the NDT all four years while at Whitman. Next year, Beth will be living in Berkeley, pursuing her career as an artist, and will be an assistant for Whitman debate.

·        Bridget Kustin: Bridget took second at NPDA Nationals and was in late elims at the NPTE three times. The community will certainly miss such a powerful speaker although they will be happy not to compete against her anymore. In the fall, Bridget will be going to Bangladesh for 9 months on a Fulbright grant.

·        Cat Posey: After being recruited from another of Jim’s classes, Cat has shown that she’s a force to be reckoned with on the debate circuit. She will graduate from Whitman with a B.A. in history and a minor in film and rhetoric. She will pursue her film interest in Alaska next year while contemplating her future life plans.

·        Chandra Carlisle: Chandra came to Whitman with a background in LD debate. After winning several regional tournaments and participating in the elim rounds of nationals, she’ll be taking her skills in argumentation to the U. of Washington law school.

·        Hannah Elisha: Hannah was also in several of Jim’s classes and excitedly joined the team and did very well in parliamentary debate and individual events this past year. We wish her the very best.

·        Patrick Carter: Patrick, after never participating in forensics, joined the team during his junior year at Whitman and won multiple speaking and debating awards. Currently, Patrick is working as a corporate recruiter in Seattle.

·        Scott Thompson: After a one year stint on the policy side of the program, Scott went on to dominate the national parli circuit. Scott was in the finals of both the NPTE and the NPDA Nationals, not to mention winning numerous regional tournaments. Next year, Scott is enrolling in a joint degree program for law and political science at Duke University in North Carolina.

All of these people will be missed and, hopefully, will remember the good times they’ve made over the years and know that they will always have a home here at Whitman College. The Whitman coaching staff has no doubt that these people will use the skills that they’ve learned from debate to make a positive impact on the world around them.

 

 

 

Beth Pearson, Scooter, and Bridget.

 

Where’s my Bag?

The Point Loma tournament was a solid success for the Whitman team, however, the weekend was not without its debacles. Upon arriving to San Diego, David got to the car, the students loaded the bags, and we headed for the hotel. When we started to unpack the cars, David could not find his bag. After triple checking that David’s bag was, in fact, not there, David and Scott Thompson headed back to the airport in search for the lost luggage.

Their initial search was fruitless. At a loss for what to do next, David and Scott asked a nearby police officer what they should do. While David spoke with the officer, Scott decided to go into the baggage claim to look around one last time. Within two minutes, Scott came scampering out, running as best he could in his flip flops, with the brown suitcase. David breathed a sign of relief and said to Scott, “It’s a good thing that you found that. I don’t think I could be a very good coach without clean underwear.”

 

Bridget, Nav, & Hannah enjoy food and good times at the end of the year party.

 

Cat and Chandra share a hug.

 

Joe, Ross, and Dave hanging out in the Policy Prep Room.

 

 

The Whitman College Tournament Returns

After a two-year hiatus, Jim restarted the Whitman College tournament this year. Whitman welcomed a record number of competitors from not only the region but also from Western Kentucky, Nevada-Reno, and South Carolina. Since we had home court advantage, the Whitman team entered 14 teams and over 20 individual events. Eric Suni and Matt Schissler, normally policy debaters, represented Whitman in the finals of the tournament against Western Kentucky (a nationally ranked team). Alex Bollinger and Curt Bowen closed out NFA-LD, and first timers Sarah Golden and Annie Hickman appeared in finals of novice division. In individual events, all but two of the Whitman competitors won awards, 19 in all!!! The tournament featured lots of food in typical Jim Hanson style. Ex-team member, Mike Winnike, hosted a party at the Shady Rill that started out as a small gathering but quickly turned into an all campus party. The tournament will return next year plus Jim is hosting a fall policy tournament and NW CEDA Champs in the spring!

 

            

The three frosh policy debaters: Andrew, Mike, Eric

 

The whole policy team (Eric Suni, Beth, Meghan, Ross, Ben, Mike, Andrew, Eric, Matt, and Jeff, clockwise from the left).

 

IM Champs and Dovell-Gose Oratory Contest

Beth Pearson once again nosed out Eric Suni for the Dovell-Gose’s first place with her speech on Title IX Women in Sports policies. Bridget Kustin, Scott Thompson, Matt Schissler, Chris Chamness, Beth Schueler, and Laura Hanson also received special awards. At the IM Champs, Andrew Kelly and Sally Sorte won the two divisions of debate while Veronica Willeto placed first in dramatic interpretation. The topic of debate dealt with the best way to increase diversity on campus. Kim Schlessinger, Jackson Nurmi, and Matt Jumago were runners up in experienced division. Jen Wiessman, Max Hensley, and Ben Reiber were runners up in inexperienced division.

 

Jeff and Des enjoy good times.

 

This gives some sense of how big the Parli-IE team is. And this isn’t the entire group! Andrew, Hugo, James, Alan (judge), Patrick, Chris, Beth, Dawn, Rob, Danielle, Chris, Jackie, Bridget, Sarah, Stephen, Alex, Chandra, Jim, Scooter, and Jeff.

 

Supporting the Team

Although the work that the coaching staff and the students do is a key element in the success of our team, the support we get is essential. The Salzman-Medica fund supplements the assistant coaches’ salaries, provides several forensics scholarships, and even this year provided travel money. The Walker and Withycombe funds provide money for travel to national tournaments like the National Debate Tournament, CEDA nationals, and the NPDA Nationals.

Funding our dramatically growing team has become a major issue. Despite the large number of graduations, Jim expects the team to be even larger next year. “We expect to have 14 policy debaters and 22 parli-ie competitors plus over 20 students participating part time.”  Jim has worked to increase revenue for the team through our high school tournament and debate camp but that can go only so far. We thank everyone who provides money, some snacks for the long ride home after a tournament, rooms to spend the night while at tournaments, and kind words of support. The team appreciates your contributions!

 

Contributions to the Team

We are grateful for your contributions to the forensic team! Generous donors December 1, 2004 through June 20, 2005 include: Abigail Joy St. Lawrence, Adam C. Symonds, Brian Marshall Simmonds, Carole Jean Kearney, David A. Kearney, Drummond and Daphne Teals Kahn, Emily R. Cordo, James B. Hanson, Janice Sandra Berman, Jared Phillips and Loan Lam, Jason P. Smith, John R. Miller, Karen J. Zawadzki, Keola R. Whittaker, Kirkland & Ellis Foundation, Microsoft Corporation, Nicole A. and Matthew P. Levin, Rachelle N. and David B. Perry-Campf, Robert M. Withycombe, Sara and Stephen C. Rowe, Scott A. Jones, Sean R. Harris, Sue and Brent Northup, Susan R. and Lloyd T. Danielson, and The Boeing Company. If we missed you, please tell us because we do appreciate your support!

Send contributions to Annual Fund Office; Whitman College; Walla Walla WA 99362

Checks should be made out to Whitman College with a note that says to place the contribution into one of the Debate Team Funds (Salzman-Medica, Withycombe, Walker, or just say “for debate”).

Danielle (top), Chris, and Hugo.

 

         

    Beth and Joe                                James, Chris, and Steve       

 

The Knott’s Berry Farm Trip with Chandra, Jackie, Rob, and Beth (front row),

Jim, Chris, and alum Brian Danielson (second row),

and Alex, Scooter, and alum Thad Blank (third row)

 

  

        Eric and Beth                   alum Keola Whittaker and Meghan

 

 

Policy Awards

BEN MEICHES AND JEFF BUNTIN: Gonzaga, QUARTERS; Kentucky, DOUBLES, Pepperdine, SEMIS, Wake Forest, DOUBLES, USC, OCTAS, Fullerton, DOUBLES, Berkeley, OCTAS, Northwestern, DOUBLES, CEDA Nats, QUARTERS, NDT Participant.

BETH SCHUELER AND ERIC SUNI: Gonzaga, SEMIS, Kentucky, DOUBLES; Pepperdine, OCTAS; Wake Forest, DOUBLES, USC, OCTAS, Fullerton, OCTAS, Berkeley, SEMIS, Northwestern, OCTAS, CEDA Nats, OCTAS, NDT, OCTAS.

CURT BOWEN AND JOSEPH BORNSTEIN: Pepperdine, Jr, QUARTERS.

ERIC CHALFANT AND MIKE MEREDITH: Gonzaga, DOUBLES, Heart, DOUBLES, CEDA Nats, TRIPLES.

MATT SCHISSLER AND ROSS RICHENDRFER: Gonzaga, DOUBLES; Pepperdine, DOUBLES, CEDA Nats, DOUBLES.

ANDREW STOKES AND MEGHAN HUGHES: USC, Jr, FIRST.

 

Parli Awards

ALEX BOLLINGER AND CHRIS CHAMNESS: Century-Minnesota, OCTAS.

ALEX BOLLINGER AND JACKIE JENKINS: Reed, QUARTERS, Columbia Basin, SECOND.

ALEX BOLLINGER AND JEFF WILSON: Hatfields, OCTAS.

ANDREW KELLY AND JAMES HOVARD: Whitman, SEMIS

ANNIE HICKMAN AND SARAH GOLDEN: Whitman, SECOND

BETH PEARSON AND CHRIS CHAMNESS: Reed, QUARTERS; Lewis and Clark, OCTAS, Point Loma, OCTAS, Fullerton 1, QUARTERS, Fullerton 2, OCTAS, Whitman, OCTAS, NPTE 29th, NPDA Nats, TRIPLES.

BRIDGET KUSTIN AND SCOTT THOMPSON: Reed, SECOND; Lewis and Clark, SECOND; PLU, FIRST; Century-Minnesota, SEMIS, Fullerton 1, QUARTERS, Fullerton 2, QUARTERS, Pacific, OCTAS, Point Loma, QUARTERS, Whitman, QUARTERS, NPTE, 12TH, NPDA Nats, SECOND.

CAT POSEY AND LAURA HANSON: Lewis and Clark, Nov, FIRST; PLU, Jr, OCTAS, Pacific, Nov, SECOND, Whitman, Jr, QUARTERS.

CHANDRA CARLISLE AND ROB OLSEN: Pacific, OCTAS, NPDA Nats, TRIPLES.

CHRIS FRYEFIELD AND HUGO VARGAS: Lewis and Clark, Jr, SEMIS, PLU, Jr, OCTAS, Pacific, Jr, SEMIS, Whitman, Jr SEMIS.

CURT BOWEN AND JOSEPH BORNSTEIN: Pacific, QUARTERS, Whitman, SECOND.

HANNAH ELISHA AND SARAH MCCARTHY: Pacific, OCTAS.

HUGO VARGAS AND STEPHEN REED: Columbia Basin, THIRD.

JAMES HOVARD AND SARAH MCCARTHY: Reed, Novice, FIRST; Lewis and Clark, JV, OCTAS.

JAMES HOVARD AND JEFF WILSON: PLU, JV, FIRST, Pacific, OCTAS.

JEFF WILSON AND ROBERT CRENSHAW: Reed, OCTAS; Lewis and Clark, JV, OCTAS.

PATRICK CARTER AND STEPHEN REED: Lewis and Clark, JV, FIRST; PLU, OCTAS.

NAV REKHI AND STEPHEN REED: Pacific, OCTAS, Whitman, OCTAS.

 

          

Chris and Beth at the NPTE     Scooter, Jim, alum Brian Simmonds, Chris at Knotts Berry Farm

 

             

Robert Crenshaw’s winning smile             Katie Imbeau leaves legacy of Interp excellence!

 

The Parli Team at a meeting.

Front row: Stephen Reed, James Hovard, Joseph Bornstein

Second row: Hugo Vargas, Chris Fryefield, Hannah Elisha, Sarah McCarthy, Alex Bollinger

Third row: Danielle Williamson, Nav Rekhi, Bridget Kustin, coach David Guidry, Rob Olson, Jeff Wilson

 

Individual Events Awards

ALEX BOLLINGER: NFA-LD, SECOND, Century; FIRST, PLU, FIRST, Point Loma, FIRST, Whitman.

ANDREW LUM AND HUGO VARGAS: DUO, FIRST, Lewis and Clark

BETH PEARSON: EXTEMP, FOURTH, Lewis and Clark; THIRD, PLU, THIRD, Whitman, SEMIS, Point Loma,

BRIDGET KUSTIN: INFORMATIVE, FINALIST, PLU; PARLI-LD, FIRST, Century-Minnesota, INFORMATIVE, FINALIST, Whitman.

CAT POSEY: POI, THIRD, Lewis and Clark; FIRST, Whitman, SECOND, BSU, PROSE, SECOND, Nov, PLU, SECOND, Nov, Pacific, THIRD, Whitman, SIXTH, BSU

CHRIS CHAMNESS: DRAMATIC, FINALIST, Nov., PLU, FIRST, Jr, Pacific, THIRD, Nov, Whitman, FIFTH, BSU

CURT BOWEN: NFA-LD, FIRST, Whitman

CHRIS FRYEFIELD: EXTEMP, THIRD, JV., Lewis and Clark; FIANLIST, JV, PLU, EXTEMP, THIRD, Jr, Whitman

DANIELLE WILLIAMSON: ADS, FINALIST, PLU, FINALIST, Whitman, SECOND, BSU

HANNAH ELISHA: EXTEMP, FIFTH, Nov., Pacific, FIFTH, Nov, Whitman.

HUGO VARGAS: PROSE, Nov, FINALIST, Whitman

JAMES HOVARD: PROSE, Nov, FINALIST, Whitman

JOSEPH BORNSTEIN: NFA-LD, TOP 6, Whitman

KYLE GOTCHY: DRAMATIC, SECOND, Nov., Lewis and Clark

LAURA HANSON: EXTEMP, FIRST, Jr, Lewis and Clark, FINALIST, Jr, Whitman, DRAMA, FIFTH, BSU

PATRICK CARTER: CA, FIRST, Lewis and Clark

ROB OLSEN: NFA-LD, FIRST, PLU

ROBERT CRENSHAW: NFA-LD, SEMIS, Reed

SARAH MCCARTHY: DRAMATIC, FIRST, Nov., Lewis and Clark, SECOND, Jr, Pacific, THIRD, Nov, Whitman, FOURTH, BSU

SCOTT THOMPSON: NFA-LD, FIRST, Reed; QUARTERS, Century, QUARTERS, Point Loma, TOP 6, Whitman

STEPHEN REED: DRAMATIC, FIFTH, Lewis and Clark, SIXTH, BSU