2008 Woodie Awards
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UO speech and debate teams excel at national competitions
Program continues to send competitors to tournaments at schools across the country
by Rachel Coussens | Freelance Reporter |
Individual events at tournaments consist of three preliminary rounds. For most of these events, debaters are given a total of 10 minutes for preparation and speaking. In the impromptu and extemporaneous events, competitors are given a topic and then receive 30 minutes to prepare a seven-minute speech.
Rose finished first in program oral interpretation, second in impromptu and third in prose interpretation at the Berkeley tournament.
Another notable team member is junior Ciara Thomson, who was named the team's most valuable debater last year. She is known for her success in the "dramatic interpretation" event.
Last year Preston and Dodds were one of four University teams - the maximum any one school is allowed - to compete at the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence. The University was one of just three schools to bring that many teams to the tournament.
Preston and Dodds placed in the top eight during the tournament quarterfinals, but the team has a new plan for this year's competition, taking place March 15 and 16.
"I want to win at nationals this year and next year," Dodds said.
The duo has had quite the line-up already this year with round robins, invite-only competitions and other parliamentary debate tournaments. Dodds and Preston are the only members of the University debate team to be invited to three "round robin" tournaments.
On Oct. 16, Dodds and Preston finished second to the top team in the nation at the Lewis and Clark Tournament, and just two weeks ago, they finished in third place at the University of Puget Sound Round Robin. Dodds and Preston will join the rest of the team for its upcoming competition Nov. 10-12 at Linfield College in McMinnville.
Donaldson has high hopes for Dodds' and Preston's performance this coming weekend.
"In my four years of coaching the UO Debate Team, I have never seen a team reach semi-finals so consistently," he said.
Donaldson has a warning for Dodds' and Prestons' opponents: "When they get the momentum, it's unfortunate for the other team."
Rose finished first in program oral interpretation, second in impromptu and third in prose interpretation at the Berkeley tournament.
Another notable team member is junior Ciara Thomson, who was named the team's most valuable debater last year. She is known for her success in the "dramatic interpretation" event.
Last year Preston and Dodds were one of four University teams - the maximum any one school is allowed - to compete at the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence. The University was one of just three schools to bring that many teams to the tournament.
Preston and Dodds placed in the top eight during the tournament quarterfinals, but the team has a new plan for this year's competition, taking place March 15 and 16.
"I want to win at nationals this year and next year," Dodds said.
The duo has had quite the line-up already this year with round robins, invite-only competitions and other parliamentary debate tournaments. Dodds and Preston are the only members of the University debate team to be invited to three "round robin" tournaments.
On Oct. 16, Dodds and Preston finished second to the top team in the nation at the Lewis and Clark Tournament, and just two weeks ago, they finished in third place at the University of Puget Sound Round Robin. Dodds and Preston will join the rest of the team for its upcoming competition Nov. 10-12 at Linfield College in McMinnville.
Donaldson has high hopes for Dodds' and Preston's performance this coming weekend.
"In my four years of coaching the UO Debate Team, I have never seen a team reach semi-finals so consistently," he said.
Donaldson has a warning for Dodds' and Prestons' opponents: "When they get the momentum, it's unfortunate for the other team."
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