West Virginia Universitys Debate Team concluded the fall 2006 semester ranked 25th in National Debate Tournament (NDT) rankings while managing a collective 3.82 grade-point average.

The teamsponsored by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciencescompeted every weekend from late October through early December.

Team members traveled to tournaments at West Point, Towson University, James Madison University, Appalachian State University, Baruch College of the City University of New York and John Carroll University. At many of these tournaments, WVU debaters participated in divisions beyond their experience levels.

The highlight of the season came at Towson University when junior varsity debaters Kayden Skinner of New Martinsville and Michael Stark of Charleston participated in the varsity division. After going 3-2 in preliminary rounds, Skinner and Stark defeated teams from the host school in the quarterfinals and semifinals before dropping a close 2-1 decision to Marist College in the finals.

Assistant coach Josh Boggs and six debaters started out 2007 in the Dallas area for a week of debating in tournaments at the University of Texas at Dallas and University of North Texas. The WVU debaters are competing against some of the best teams in the country, said Neil Berch, debate team advisor and associate professor of political science.

They were there (in Texas) to compete against the very best debaters in the country to strengthen their skills for the division championships later this semester,said Berch.

The WVU team is currently preparing for its upcoming spring schedule. The schedule will include Towson, Navy, Binghamton, Northeast Regionals at Marist, ADA Nations at Liberty, and CEDA Nationals at the University of Oklahoma.

Additionally, WVU will again host the JV/Novice National Championships March 3-5.

For more information on WVU s Debate Team, contact Berch at 304-293-3811, ext. 5290 or at nberch@wvu.edu .