Overcoming many more sizable schools, Benilde-St. Margaret’s own debate team took home a second place all around finish in the Minnesota Classic Debate State Tournament this past weekend. The tournament, held at South St. Paul High School, was monumental for BSM, who had never before placed so highly in team sweepstakes.

In order to secure the second place finish, teams in the novice, junior varsity, and varsity divisions had to perform at very high levels. With each victory from a BSM duo, points were added to the overall tally. Of the nine participating teams, five advanced into various final rounds. Sophomores Sarah Karels and Parker Breza took first place in junior varsity, while seniors Adam Bamonti and Liza Magill advanced into the quarterfinals of the varsity division. Novice teams of freshman Sarah Letscher and Patrick Hunter, and juniors Shannon Forsythe and Erin Choi also advanced, with Letscher and Hunter reaching the semifinals, and Forsythe and Choi reaching the octafinals.

Karels and Breza defeated a team from Minnetonka High School to secure their state championship, which was determined by three judges who unanimously awarded the duo first place. Their victory sealed the finish for BSM at South St. Paul, who came second only to Eastview High School in Apple Valley. “The team had a great year this year and it was a wonderful opportunity for them to come forward and actually show that we are a force to be reckoned with in state” said head coach Ms. Kathy Fuelling.