Mason debate team reaches #1 ranking

Mason's debate team was moved up to the #1 ranking after performing well in a recent tournament. (Photo courtesy of Mason Debate).

The George Mason University debate team is ranked number one in the nation this season after a successful tournament held on the weekend of Nov. 9.

As of Nov. 19, Mason has 111 total points and 19 tiebreaker points, according to the Cross Examination Debate Association's website.

“CEDA Points reflect a school's performance across all divisions of [Cross Examination] policy debate,” Alex McVey, assistant director of debate at Mason, said in an email. “Mason Debate's #1 ranking demonstrates GMU debate's excellent performance in deep elimination rounds in the Varsity, Junior-Varsity, and Novice divisions of debate tournaments held the first semester.”

Since the summer, the debate team began researching, writing briefs and practicing for this year's topic on U.S. energy production.

“The practice paid off big time as the group of road warriors known as Mason Debate traveled to nine tournaments the first semester, securing first place victories in the varsity and novice division, along with multiple finals and semifinals appearances across all divisions,” McVey said.

Allison Harper, Mason debate coach, PhD student and alumnus of Mason debate, said in an email that the team's hard work included extra nights and weekend work sessions.

“Debate is an activity where what you get out of it is related to the effort you put in,” Harper said.

According to Harper, the varied skill levels of participants provided an advantage for Mason's debate team. 

“In order to be the top ranked team, you have to be competitive at the varsity level, but also have a strong showing in the junior varsity and novice level,” Harper said. “The GMU debate team has a long history of success and is usually a top 10 team in the nation.”

In the end, McVey credits the work of coaches and students alike in the debate team's success.

“It was really all for one and one for all and everyone did their part to push Mason Debate to #1 in the CEDA rankings,” McVey said.

McVey and Harper hope the debate team's success can help attract  more participants of different experience levels. 

“I encourage any highly motivated and intellectually curious students interested in joining the debate team,” McVey said.

If you are interested in attending the team's next meeting, email McVey at jmcvey2@gmu.edu.

For more information about Mason's debate team visit their website.