This season, Western’s debate team has ranked in the top tier at every competition it has attended, with five finals placements, and will continue to compete for the national championship.
Ella Horner, a third-year Western debate team member, shared her excitement about the team's success.
“Every single tournament this year, we have placed in the top rankings in every competition and have made it to the final round in every competition,” Horner said.
In addition to three wins this season, the debate team welcomed coach Ben Hagwood, whose arrival has contributed to the team’s success.
“I really love the atmosphere that's been on the team this year, especially because of the coaching,” said Julia Olson, a second-year debate team member.
Olson previously competed for one quarter last academic year but came back to compete this season due to Hagwood’s support.
“Coach Ben is one of the reasons that I decided to come back and give it another go, just because he really cares about each one of us, and he makes an effort to let us know that anything that we want out of debate we have to put into it,” Olson said.
Hagwood joined the team this season with goals to help his students succeed.
“This season I entered with the hope of establishing a successful team that worked well together, built community and pursued championships,” Hagwood said.
Hagwood uses these goals, along with his motivation and passion for debate, to help each team member.
“I am inspired by competition and justice. Debate is a game that allows us to find the best answer to complicated questions. In pursuit of these answers, we find ourselves often pursuing justice for the people that are impacted by the discussion,” said Hagwood.
Team members described Hagwood as encouraging, supportive and motivating.
“I would say Ben has been an amazing support this season, and he has definitely changed a lot in how we prepare for and how we look at competitions,” said Horner. “He has been a great asset to the team. And I really think he's contributed a lot to that success we've had this year.”
Hagwood’s peers and fellow debate coaches also speak highly of his work ethic and abilities. Travis Cram, Western’s director of forensics since 2018, attributes part of the team's success this season to Hagwood.
“I can't imagine having gotten a better candidate in terms of experience, expertise and the ability to motivate folks,” said Cram. “A lot of our credit for this incredible season we're having goes to Ben Hagwood.”
Western’s debate team is a part of many forensics' associations, including the Northwest Forensics Conference. Michael Ingram, president of the Northwest Forensics Conference, shared his views on what makes a good debate coach.
“Good coaches help students develop a strong sense of internal motivations, not simply debating for the sake of winning a trophy but debating for the sake of pursuing knowledge, developing ability and preparing well for the future that lies ahead,” said Ingram.
Hagwood hopes to drive the team to continue its success as it moves through the rest of the season.
“As we continue in this journey, my hope is that our work here reflects on the prestige of the Viking community,” said Hagwood. “The students, faculty, staff and alumni of Western are dynamic, engaged and welcoming and it's time the world gets a taste of that truth.”
Mackenzie Rankin (she/her) is a reporter on The Front’s campus life beat. She is a third-year public relations journalism major. Aside from finding new stories to write, she can be found doing art or on walks with her friends. You can reach her at mackenzierankin.thefront@gmail.com
