The Ingraham Debate Team finished out a fantastic season on Saturday at the Washington State Tournament. Ingraham qualified two teams, Liam Donnelly and Rebecca Phare, and Jamie Keene and Oakley Shelton-Thomas, despite starting its team just a few short months ago in September 2009. Donnelly and Phare, two freshmen, won three out of six debates, defeating a team from Mercer Island, while Keene and Shelton-Thomas, a sophomore and freshman, won two debates. One of Mercer Island's teams placed in the semi-finals and the second won the Washington State Tournament. Two other Ingraham team members, Aidan "Atreyu" Farr and Lauren Berry Kagan, attended the Washington State Tournament to watch debates and cheer on their teammates.

Coach Robby White, a Comparative History of Ideas major at the University of Washington, has been an excellent coach and leader for the team. He competed in policy debate for two years in college, where he learned many of the skills that allowed him to become such as successful high school coach. The WDC placed Robby with Ingraham because of his depth of debate knowledge, familiarity with the Washington debate community, and extraordinary ability to connect with his students. He continues to be one of the best young coaches and judges on the Washington debate circuit.

Ingraham had a number of other notable successes this year. Donnelly and Shelton-Thomas placed 3rd at their first tournament in high school debate, the novice division of Tahoma High School's Golden Bear Classic. Donnelly was also 3rd Speaker. Donnelly and Shelton-Thomas won the novice division of the Auburn High School Tournament, beating out the established teams of Arlington High School, Holy Names, and South Eugene High School. Donnelly was once again 3rd Speaker. Ingraham went on to close out the Finals of the junior division of the University of Puget Sound Debate Tournament, with all four debaters placing in the top ten speakers.

Despite only being in their first year of competition, Shelton-Thomas and Keene were semi-finalists, out of 22 teams, in the open division at Mt. Vernon High School. Both Ingraham teams placed in the top four, out of 47 teams, including juniors and seniors, at the Pacific Lutheran University Tournament. Keene was 2nd Speaker, Donnelly was 4th Speaker, and Phare was 6th Speaker.

For a complete list of Ingraham's achievements, regular updates, and a team roster, check out the team's Facebook page.

The WDC could not be more proud of its flagship program. We look forward to reporting next year's successes. Congratulations to the Ingraham Debate Team and Robby!