JUDL places 1st in Novice and Varsity Policy at Bobcat Classic

By Margarita Morales
Published February 6, 2012

NEWARK, NJ - The Jersey Urban Debate League took first place in both Novice and Varsity Policy debate at the Bobcat Classic at Byram Hills Tournament in Armonk, NY held Jan. 6 and 7. Newark Teach also placed second in Novice and Science High School placed third in Varsity. Two novice and three varsity teams were able to advance to elimination rounds.

In Novice Policy, American History team Jay and Jovan Ross received 1st place with a 4-1 record advancing them to semifinals. The Newark Tech team of Mamasa Dukureh and Esterlene Pharno'rd received 2nd place with a 4-1 record. In semifinals, Jay and Jovan fell to Bronx Science team Alex Gould and Miguel Martinez. Five JUDL speakers were in the top 10 for Novice:

3rd Place Speaker: Jay Ross (American History)
4th Place Speaker: Ebele Ofobuzo (University)
5th Place Speaker: Jovan Ross (American History)
6th Place Speaker: Myles Drew (University)
7th Place Speaker: Mamasa Dukureh (Newark Tech) In Varsity, the University High school team Andrew Alvardo and Peraveena Perinpanathan received 1st place with a 5-0 record, the Science High School team Jaysen Bazile and Paul Viegas placed 3rd with a 4-1 record, and the University High School team Sierra Underdue and Vida Chiri received 4th place with a 3-2 record. In semifinals University team Alvardo and Perinpanathatan beat University team Chiri and Underdue. University went up against Newburgh Free Academy in finals but fell short of a win. Eight JUDL speakers were in the top 10 for Varsity:

2nd Place Speaker: Paul Viegas (Newark Science)
3rd Place Speaker: Andrew Alvarado (University)
4th Place Speaker: Sierra Underdue (University)
5th Place Speaker: Thais Marques (Newark Science)
6th Plave Speaker: Julian Jimenez (Newark Science)
7th Place Speaker: Jaysen Bazile (Newark Science)
9th Place Speaker: Luis Carrera (Newark Science)
10th Place Speaker: Dazir Moses (American History)