Seven Roosevelt speech and debate students got tickets to the National tournament and I am pretty confident that isn't the end of it! It will go down as the most complete Roosevelt effort since 1983 at a National Qualifier. We can pick up more at Congress Quals and there are likely pull-ups to be had as well.
We still don't know who won team sweeps. Coach Sheaff thinks its us and after some thought, I believe it is them. It will come down to how deep we really got in debate although the efforts of Leys and Troxell in Policy might be huge here. And, Flannery and Roeder get credit for a nine round tournament not just 7 since they were undefeated--they also get credit for any rounds which could have happened.
What I want to share with each of you is that I am so happy for and proud of all of you! Those who worked the hardest were rewarded. Perhaps not everyone who killed themselves in prep made it to Nationals but you got to final rounds and had your opprotunities. That is what matters--you got there and gave yourself a chance.
It is never fair to judge a student's success by if they get a ticket to nationals because just the draw of the luck plays a huge role in outcomes.
For example, in DI, Tess was in 2nd all the way and lost out in the end.
One key reason for her failure was, by rule, she had to speak first in her final.
Speaking first in a NQ final is not where you want to fall. Its great if you can blow everyone out and set a very high level. But, historically, that isn't what always happens. If you fail to deliver a sterling performance speaking first, the rest of the room relaxes and their performances improve as a result. NQ rules dictate speech students all get different opportunities to speak in a different order.
What Nate and I are so impressed with is the dedication most of you had in preparation for the Qualifier.
Now the big challenge: We can win a state team championship in a few weeks in Iowa City in both speech and debate. Iowa City West did not dominate at their qualifier as in past years. They are beatable in speech.
We can do this. If you will work just as hard for the next 3 weeks--we can, as a team, do very, very well at All Iowa Finals. It will take some luck as well but work will make some of our luck. Stay with it Riders!
PS: I used Tess as an example of what can happen. Her sweep points will also be huge because we never get someone in DI that far. Those sweep points will hugely matter vs. Dowling just as much as Troxell and Leys who found our first NQ sweep points in years in CX at qualifier!
PS: Those who qualified are...Mirza and Catherine in IX; Amelia and Sarah in DX, Aida in OO and Mike/Sam in PF.
PS: I need a list of those who want to go to Congress Quals in Cherokee. I believe the tournament is Saturday March 20th. We will leave after school and spend the night so we aren't up at 330am trying to qualify.
Coach Harry
