MSJ Speech and Debate Wins Big at ASU and James Logan Invitational

By Vedesh Kodnani & Abha Kulkarni Staff Writers

MSJ Speech and Debate triumphed at the Arizona State University Hughs Down School of Human Communication Invitational (ASU) and James Logan Martin Luther King Jr (MLK) Invitational, held from January 6-8 and January 13-15 respectively. The club performed spectacularly with fve competitors reaching late elimination rounds at James Logan and one Public Forum (PF) team championing ASU.

Members spent several hours over Winter Break preparing for the tournaments. For example, with PF, a debate format with topics on current events, competitors researched the history of US interventions in the Middle East and drafted cases. “The main challenge in preparing for this event was the case prep because this topic for PF debate was very complex,” Competitor Freshman Evanka Parekh said.

“The main challenge in preparing for this event was the case prep because this topic for PF debate was very complex.”

- Competitor Freshman Evanka Parekh

At ASU, the team’s frst travel tournament since the pandemic, Competitor Senior Zaid Vellani and PF Captain Junior Rahil Pasha championed in PF and received a Gold Bid to the Tournament of Champions (TOC). The other competitors to attend, PF Captain Junior Yuvraj Walia and Publicity Offcer Sophomore Vedatman Duhoon, reached octofnals. Participants enjoyed their experience, in large part due to the location of the competition. “ASU was different because of the distance from home but also because of the environment,” Vellani said. After rounds, the team had the opportunity to explore the city.

Similarly MSJ Speech and Debate saw suc-

“ASU was different because of the distance from home but also because of the environment.”

- Competitor Senior Zaid Vellani