With tournaments in early March and April, the Hamden Hall Debate Team posted some impressive results in two crowded fields, narrowly missing elimination rounds.

At Wilton High School in March, the novice pair of Prottoya Chowdhury and Sam Judson posted a 2-1 record, with Sam awarded the sixth speaker in a field of more than 100 first- and second-year debaters. Also posting a winning record was the pair of Gemyla Huang and Eric Lin. Zean Wu and Leo Li fought nobly through two tough ballots to post a third-round win against a capable pair from Ridgefield High School. The varsity pair of Maisa Della Valle and Mingting Xia also secured a victory in a strong varsity field.

Recently, at the Osterweis Invitational tournament at Yale University, three novice pairs and one varsity pair competed in rounds judged exclusively by Yale Debate Association members. The varsity pair of Shamoon Mallick and Nick Neumeister prevailed in a strenuous final round against a pair from Amity High School. In novice debate, two of three pairs went 2-1: Sam and Prottoya and Leo and Zean. Gemyla and Eric won their middle round giving them a more competitive third round, which was tied on points.

Coach Bill Hunter thanks all who competed under the HHCDS Debate banner this year, with special attention paid to our graduating seniors: Maisa Della Valle, Chris Izzo, Shamoon Mallick, John Manoyan, Nick Neumeister and Minty Xia. Varsity Pair of the Year: Chris Izzo and Shamoon Mallick. Rookies of the Year: Sam Judson and Prottoya Choudhury.

“They will center a strong sophomore and junior nucleus in next year’s squad,” said Coach Hunter.