It was easily the most complex topic that high school debaters have faced this year, the question of whether or not the United Nations should officially recognize a Palestinian state. But five Barlow veterans managed to navigate the delicate minefield of history, politics, economics, terrorism, religion, justice, international law, and diplomacy, taking six trophies and four of the top six varsity speaker slots at Stamford's Westhill High School this past Saturday.
For the third time this year, a Barlow pair advanced to the final exhibition round to contend for the top varsity prize. Juniors Nicolò Marzaro and Brendan Coppinger faced off against a very organized pair from Stamford. Coppinger led off on the affirmative, making the case for Palestinian statehood and he quickly came under fire in cross examination for vagueness in his plan. He rebounded in the cross examination of his opponent, asking about how likely the status quo would be to solve the problem given the history of intransigence and violence on both sides. He later pointed out the fact that Hamas had recently renounced violence meant that for the first time in history, UN-brokered diplomacy could actually work.
Marzaro put Barlow back in the game with his strongest speeches to date. Among the points he made was the idea that UN involvement in the former Yugoslavia proved that a third party could ultimately create stability, even when torn asunder by centuries-old, violent disputes over borders and religion.
"Where do you want this conflict litigated," he asked, "in the streets with guns, rockets, bulldozers, and suicide belts, or would it be in the courts, using diplomacy where all sided get to make their case? If you want a chance at something besides the failure of the past six decades, I urge an affirmative ballot." Marzaro's debating impressed several judges that day, and with 84 points and a 3-0 record, he earned the second-place varsity speaker award.
Still, Barlow gave up some ground by reversing their position on whether or not Palestine was a country and repeating a gaffe portmanteau, "Pakestine." In the end it was a close call, with three of the five coach judges voting to award the round to Stamford.
Junior Ben Lewson's hard work paid off with the third-place varsity speaker trophy. Two years ago, he had a promising start as a freshman, trophying at Barlow's home tournament. In the following year, he like many before him had a difficult 'sophomore slump,' as an underclassmen facing tough seniors in varsity. But through persistence and the careful study of complex political and economic problems in debate, Euro-Challenge competition, and his coursework, he earned a commanding 84 speaker points.
The third-place varsity team also happened to be the current state champions, senior co-captains Henry Knight and Sam Torchio, who were once again undefeated. The pair have improved greatly on their performance last year, now 14-1 overall this season, building up momentum as they head toward the end of the season where they get a shot at defending their title. Knight, the top varsity speaker of 2011, was just a single point behind Lewson this time, finishing in fourth-place overall.
Freshman Hunter Lightman and senior Alex Cheu faced unexpected challenges when both learned that their partners were sick. Unusually no other school brought any unpaired debaters, so coach Randall Smith decided to throw Hunter into the fray, temporarily promoting the freshman to varsity. Despite his trepidation, Hunter rose to the occasion, and by taking advice from his very capable veteran partner, won two of three rounds for the day. Cheu's stellar 83 point performance tied Knight, leaving him as the sixth-place speaker out of the nearly one hundred varsity competitors.
Many of Hunter's novice teammates debated to multiple victories, taking two of three rounds. Among them were sophomore Tommy Cocco, as well as freshmen Brooke Curto, Will Tower, Harrison vonDwingelo, Sam Aldershof and first-timer Alex Krupnikoff-Salkin. Cocco was among the top five novice speakers, tying for points with the second and third novice speakers, with the tie broken by total wins. First-timer Krupnikoff-Salkin was repeatedly praised for his ability to ask pointed questions, a critical ingredient of success in debating.
Barlow has one more qualifying tournament in CDA Extemporaneous Debate in early March, just two weeks before the final. They will also compete at the Hopkins School in late February.