Outstanding Performances at George Mason University and Social Justice Debates Online Season Opener

After a huge turnout of new students to the Debate Union over the first few weeks of the semester, we competed in two tournaments this past weekend – the first for many of our new team members. After some great successes we’re ready for a fantastic season to come!

Published
September 15, 2025
A group of people sitting around a table in a coffee shop while working on their laptops.
Debaters and coaches prepare for the upcoming tournament at George Mason University on Friday afternoon.

George Mason University Tournament Success

The University of Rochester Debate Union had a remarkable showing at the recent George Mason University tournament. Varsity debaters Lara Ozcayir and Ashaz Rahman advanced through a challenging Octofinal round to reach Quarterfinals, where they lost to George Mason University. Lara Ozcayir was also recognized as the fourth best speaker at the tournament.

Novice Debaters Make Their Mark

The tournament’s novice division saw two URDU teams with three brand new students advance to elimination rounds, an impressive feat for students just beginning their debate journeys. Dane Yoder and Ben Rosenthal reached Octofinals, ultimately losing on a close 2-1 decision. Meanwhile, Raza Ali and James Giovinazzo advanced to Quarterfinals before being narrowly defeated by the team that would go on to win the tournament. These results highlight the promise and talent of our newest debaters.

Social Justice Debates Online Season Opener

In the Online Season Opener for the Social Justice Debates, Nicole Martinez and Erin Kent delivered an outstanding performance, going undefeated (3-0) in preliminary rounds to secure a spot in Finals. The team put up a strong showing in the final round, narrowly losing to Morehouse College on a close decision. Erin Kent’s skill and eloquence were further recognized as she was named the fifth best speaker out of fifty-six competitors. In the end, everyone benefited from hearing some excellent feedback from some highly qualified expert judges.

Congratulations to All Competitors

We congratulate all our teams for their dedication, hard work, and these great achievements. We look forward to building on this momentum at upcoming tournaments!