MSU Debate won the Front Royal Cup for the first time in program history at the American Debate Association (ADA) national tournament. The Front Royal Cup recognizes the two-person teams with the strongest tournament results during the invitational season.
Zaria Jarman, a political theory and constitutional democracy junior, and Glen Scully, a computer science senior, placed first in the season-long rankings. Henry Martin, a physics and philosophy first-year student in the Honors College, and Isabella Foster, a philosophy and film first-year student in the Honors College, placed second in the rankings.
“This is the first time MSU has ever won the Front Royal Cup,” said Will Repko, MSU Debate head coach. “Glen and Zaria have had an amazing season so it’s not surprising, but it is exciting.”
MSU Debate’s previous best finish in the Front Royal Cup was last year when teams finished in second and third place in the race.
READ MORE about the MSU Debate team's victory here.
Debater earns individual honor
For the first time in program history, a member of MSU Debate received the Julia Burke Award. Joanna Gusis received the award, which is given to an outstanding debater who exhibits a passion for debate, a commitment to helping others, love and respect for the debate community, and dedication to maintaining friendships despite the pressures of competition.
“The Julia Burke Award is like the Heisman Trophy of college debate,” said Head Coach Will Repko.
Gusis is a fourth-year Honors College student majoring in statistics, as well as political theory and constitutional democracy. Gusis and debate partner Stephen Lewis reached the Final Four at two major tournaments this season and competed at the Herbert L. James Debates, an invitation-only contest for seven of the country’s top teams.