Debate team takes second in Santa Clara Tournament

The Douglas high School Speech and Debate team continued their reign of success Dec. 8 and 9 at the Santa Clara University Invitational.

The team had been working hard for over a month to prepare for the tournament and it all paid off. J.R. Stevens and Clara Ritger along with Colton Dale and Mariana Aguilar all qualified to elimination rounds with 5-1 records in the preliminary rounds of policy debate.

"Douglas was the only school to qualify two policy teams for eliminations," coach Paul Mileo said.

"This continues the policy teams dominating season adding quarterfinalist to their long list of awards."

Travis Moore, who competed in Lincoln-Douglas debate, also went on to elimination rounds becoming a quarterfinalist.

In addition, Stevens competed in extemporaneous speaking making it to the final round.

"The great success of these students led to the surprise announcement during the awards ceremony that Douglas High School won the second place sweepstakes award for small schools, which is a combined total score of the entire team," Mileo said.

The Santa Clara Tournament has been named after Marty Cronin who was the long time debate coach of Douglas High School until he passed away almost three years ago.

The current coaches Mileo and Brian McNulty were students of his and members of the team during their time at Douglas High School.

The debate team has been attending this tournament for many years but has never had this much success.

"We made a lot of people ask 'who is Douglas?' that is really cool" said Mileo.

"We have had great momentum all season."

The annual Douglas High School League tournament is Jan. 4-5.

In addition, the team will be preparing for their next invitational tournament at Cal Berkeley in February.

Milieo said the debate students have been paying their own way for out-of-state tournaments.

Anyone who would like to support the team is asked to send donations to the high school addressed to the speech and debate team or they could donate their time judging the next home tournament.

For any information please call (775) 220-9539 or e-mail Mileop@gmail.com.