Debate teams make nationals

Some students will be leaving for what could be called "the great debate" this month.

Members of the Weber State University debate team had two teams qualify to participate in the National Debate Tournament. Both teams qualified in second and third place during the regional competition in February.

"I think it's a great honor," Kellen McAffee, a WSU student, said.

This will be his second time attending the national competition.

To qualify during the regional competition, WSU had to debate Arizona State University, Regis University, Southern Utah University, College of Eastern Utah and other schools in the region.

While WSU usually sends one qualifying two-man team to the competition, this is only the second time in history it has sent two teams.

McAffee said that during the competition, both WSU teams will continue to argue the year's topic, "United States Federal Government Should Federally Control Throughout Indian Country," McAffee said.

"A lot of teams have a hard time being affirmative," said McAffee regarding the topic.

Each team must have an affirmative argument as well as an opposing argument.

Personally, McAffee said he disagrees with the affirmative aspect of the topic.

"It's tough to affirm," McAffee said. "It's kind of a repugnant statement when you think about it."

McAffee said this is why so many have such a difficult time arguing the affirmative side.

However, this does not mean that WSU does not have a strong argument for both sides, each of which they will be required to argue four times during the tournament, McAffee said.

Scott Odekirk, Josh Eames and Josh Bentley, all sophomores, are the other WSU students who qualified for the NDT.

"We are very excited because most of these students are sophomores and will be with Weber for many years to come," Eric Mueller, director of forensics, said.

This will be the second time that two teams from WSU have qualified for NDT, which Mueller describes as being very prestigious.

"I would liken it to the NCAA collegiate tournament in basketball," Mueller said. "The NDT has operated for more than 60 years and has a proud tradition of excellence."

This means the students will be a part of the NDT at Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, Mo., March 23 through 26.

You can reach reporter Devon Crus by calling 626-7655.