MSU Debate reached the Sweet Sixteen at the American Debate Association (ADA) National Tournament this past weekend. 
Tony Miklovis, an International Relations and Social Relations and Policy senior, and Blaine Montford, a Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy sophomore in the Honors College, bested teams from Emory University, the University of Kansas, the University of Minnesota, and George Mason University in preliminary debates.
At the conclusion of the preliminary debates, the tournament seeded teams in all divisions based on their win-loss record and speaker points. Elimination debates were single elimination for the top 28 teams in the open division.
Miklovis and Montford qualified for elimination debates as the sixth seed after factoring in their preliminary record and speaker points. Miklovis was the 15th overall speaker out of 112 debaters from all over the country
In elimination debates, Miklovis and Montford defeated a team from the University of Kentucky to reach the Sweet Sixteen where they ultimately lost a close debate to a team from Emory University.
“Tony and Blaine had a great tournament representing MSU,” said Will Repko, MSU Debate Head Coach. “Seeing MSU in the Sweet Sixteen at a national championship is always exciting.”
MSU was also represented at the ADA Nationals by Hina Shehzad, an International Relations sophomore, and Ephraim Bennett, a computer science senior. Shehzad and Bennett bested teams from Boston College, Wake Forest University, and the University of Kansas.
The American Debate Association also has and award – the Front Royal Cup – that recognize season-long success. Miklovis and Monford were second place finishers for the Front Royal Cup and Bennett and Shehzad were third.
Earlier this season, Miklovis and Montford won the Navy Tournament and Bennett and Shehzad won the Wayne State Tournament.
“This is the team’s best result ever in the Front Royal Cup,” said Repko. “These teams have had an amazing season so far and these results demonstrate that.” 
MSU’s Direct of Debate, Carly Watson, also won an award given to outstanding new directors. The award recognizes a director in their first seven years who demonstrates outstanding achievement in scholarship, service, community building, or competitive success.
ADA Nationals is the first national championship tournament that MSU Debate competes in during the post-season. MSU Debate has qualified three teams for the National Debate Tournament and will compete there the first week of April.
The MSU Debate team is part of the Honors College.
By Miaomiao Zi