Portland State University can still claim its master debaters.

Last weekend, the Portland State debate team travelled to Kelso, Wash, to compete in Lower Columbia College’s 37th Annual Smelt Classic debate tournament. Long time PSU debaters Kelly Welch and Sean Partch walked away with the gold in their event, defeating teams from Seattle University and Linfield. The tournament was also important for the many fresh debaters who got their first chance to participate in a competition.

“We just have so many new people this year, there’s always concerns about getting everyone ready in time,” said Portland senior, Dana Hawthorne. Hawthorne was not a competitor in this particular tournament, but did assist new members before the event and served as a judge in a number of rounds. “All in all, they did really well.”

The team’s size has swelled, with more than a dozen new members this term, most of whom attended Lower Columbia’s tournament. Many had never debated before, or had never debated in the British Parliamentary style, in which four teams are made up of two speakers, and two teams are assigned to each side of the case. The speakers alternate, starting with the pro side, until each speaker has had a chance to present. The participants are informed of the debate’s topic only fifteen minutes in advance; whether they are in support or in opposition of the topic is assigned at random.

Teams debated current events, like healthcare and the war in Afghanistan, and also theoretical scenarios, such as whether clergy should be forced to disclose confessionals for use in criminal trials. Some debaters were forced to argue against their own opinions.

“I had to argue the Republican side of the public option for healthcare,” said sophomore Sarah Freedman. “That wasn’t fun.”

The next tournament for the PSU team will be held at Linfield College, starting November 20th. With one tournament now under their belt, the newest debaters are feeling more confident.

“I definitely want to go, no question,” said Freedman. “Now that the terror is gone, I’ll be more knowing of what to expect and I’ll be more prepared.”