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Gu Debate Teams Win Big At Nationals

From Staff Reports

The Gonzaga University debate team of senior Blake Dias and sophomore Ian McLoughlin won second place last weekend at a national debate tournament.

The team of Ben Stuckart and Fred Petersen, both juniors, placed third. It was the first time GU has had two teams in the top four.

Dias, a senior, was named the best of the tournament’s 432 speakers. He got 177 points out of a possible 180. Dias is the first GU debater to win the top honors.

The tournament in San Diego, was sponsored by the Cross-Examination Debate Association.

Gonzaga ended the debate season in second place for the sweepstakes rankings nationally just ahead of Cornell University. Previously, GU’s best season finish was eighth place in 1989. The sweepstakes competition compiles scores from a university’s top two teams.