Debate Tandem Wins Stanford Tourney
March 22, 2019
Seniors Shannon Bonet and Xueyun Yuan earning 1st place in the Stanford Debate Tournament during the weekend of February 2.
The invitational format was exclusive to the top squads from each school. Veterans Bonet and Yuan represented Campolindo, according to club adviser Sarah Morgan, because the duo “usually wins all the tournaments they compete in.”
Yuan said the team performed well despite having little time to prepare for the debate itself. “We just showed up and debated,” she said.
What little time they did have was used to work with coaches hired from UC Berkeley, who have experience debating on their own teams. “They know how to do parliamentary debate and are younger and know how to talk to the kids,” said Morgan.
The team practiced 4 hours a week and conducted practice debates to help formulate arguments.
The squad is now preparing for the Tournament of Champions, a national tournament which will take place in Los Angeles on April 6 and 7. “We have Varsity-only practices on Wednesdays tailored specifically towards the Tournament of Champions,” said Sophomore debater Vishal Laskari.
