Congratulations are in order to the Farmington Debate team on an outstanding State Tournament! This past weekend at the MSHSL State Debate Tournament, seniors Michael Koperski and Thea Munson finished challenging preliminary competition with a record of 3-2, having beat teams from Edina, St. Croix Preparatory School and Avalon Charter School. Their only losses were to the teams who went on to be the state champion and state runner up. Ending competition as the 5th seed at the tournament, Koperski and Munson advanced to Quarterfinals and lost an extremely close debate to the top team from Edina.
This quarterfinal finish is the highest level of competition that the Farmington Debate Team has achieved in its three year existence. This finish also caps off a very successful season for the Farmington Debate Team. In recognition of that continued excellence, Koperski was named to the Minnesota Debate Teacher’s Association All State Policy Debate team. This is the first time a debater from Farmington has been named to that list.
Whats next for the Farmington Debate team?
The Farmington Debate team has one competition left this season; the Southern Minnesota NSDA (National Speech and Debate Association). This tournament will be held on January 22-23, 2021.
Not impressed yet?
They have had a full season (starting practice in August and competition in September) and ended with their quarterfinal finish at State. It is exceptional that in this COVID environment they were able to field a very competitive program and also:
- Developed the largest novice (1st year) class of debaters in the state
- Qualified for the state tournament in 3rd place in the section
- Finished in quarters at the MSHSL State debate tournament
- Had an NSDA (National Speech and Debate Association) All American student
- Had a member of the Minnesota All State policy debate team
- Had a coach achieve Double Diamond status in the NSDA
- Finished in 2nd place at the MDTA (Minnesota Debate Teachers Association) JV/Novice State