The UR Debate Union looked to carry its momentum from the past two weeks into the "Binghamton Bling Bang." Rochester sent 15 teams to the tournament: six teams in Open, six in JV, and three brand new teams in Novice. The Binghamton tournament is set up such that anyone that has broken into out rounds (elimination rounds) in Novice at any previous tournament is required to move up to JV for the Binghamton event, while anyone who has broken in JV must move up to Open. Unfortunately, none of UR's teams that competed in JV at Binghamton were able to break, despite comprising one-third of the field in the JV division. Thankfully, this was overshadowed by a third consecutive Open division championship, and the second Open close-out in Finals for Rochester in three weeks.
Mike Higgins and Ben Sherry, Quarterfinalists
3-2 record in prelims
Dropped to Fordham in Quarterfinals
David Merkle, 4th Place Speaker
Walter Daley, 9th Place Speaker
Mike Gunther, 10th Place Speaker
Steve D'amico, 1st Place Speaker
Marquis Harrison, 4th Place Speaker
Liz Gaskell, 10th Place Speaker
Steve D'amico and Buddy Khan, Co-Champions
6-0 in prelims
Defeated
Army in Quarters
Defeated Army in Semifinals
Finals Close Out with Czapla/Kaplan-Shain
Anna Czapla and Ilana Kaplan-Shain, Co-Champions
4-2 in
prelims
Defeated Vermont in Quarters
Defeated Army in Semis
Finals
Close-Out with D'amico/Khan
Contessa Gibson and Marquis Harrison, Quarterfinalists
4-2 in prelims
Dropped to Army in Quarters