Chesterton High School’s debate team brought home its ninth state championship in a row over the weekend.

CHS bested competitors from 35 schools at the tournament held in Ben Davis High School. This is the 17th state championship for CHS.

Chesterton finished with 87 points; rival Munster earned 47.5 and West Lafayette finished third with 37.

CHS debaters won three out of four individual championships. In two of the areas Chesterton took both first and second places.

In Policy Debate Sam Lahti and Tess Mullin were the tournament champions. They defeated teammates Sarah Morlock and Lucie Doler in the final round.

Kate Weber and Beau Rajsic were the tournament champions in Public Forum. They competed against and defeated teammates Matt Deleon and Alex Sisto in the final round.

In Congress competition Rachel Wyatt was the tournament champion.

The win was a total team effort.

In Policy were Ray Raffin and Phil Braunlich, quarterfinalists and Conor O’Brien and Tyler Demar, octafinalists.

In Public Forum Ashley Hanson and Cassie Recker were quarterfinalists. Melissa Frye and Sarah Christoferson also competed.

In Congress Heather Stavropoulos, was a semifinalist and presiding officer. Amanda Kessinger, earned seventh place. Amy Zehner and Andrew Keithley also competed.

In Lincoln-Douglas, Stephanie Leopold, Brandon Patterson, Andrew Thoesen and Nathan Pavlovic competed.

Coaches traveling with the team were Chris Lowery, Scott Woodhouse and Jim Cavallo.

“This was a great team effort.” said Cavallo. “With 35 schools competing it was extremely close all the way through quarterfinals and then our Chesterton debaters just pulled away. We are very proud of all of them.”

Many families drove down to Indianapolis to support the debaters. The triumphant team returned to Chesterton at about 1 a. m. Sunday morning.

Posted 2/6/2006