Pittsburgh CFL Diocesan Qualifiers
2020
—
Pittsburgh,
PA/US
Lincoln Douglas Paradigm List
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Stalnaker Ben
Upper St Clair HS
Last changed on
Wed February 5, 2020 at 10:56 PM EDT
I debated Lincoln Douglas for 4 years in high school; I was a state semi-finalist, finalist, NCFL octo-finalist, and three-time NSDA qualifier. I debated for three years at Brown University and I'm now the LD coach for Upper St. Clair.
I prefer moderate speed; arguments should be well articulated to me and to your opponent. I hope that anyone I'm judging prefers to win based on their merits, rather than speaking too quickly for their opponents' (many of which may be local competitors) to understand. I won't drop anyone for speaking quickly, but if you win because your opponent cannot understand you, I will reflect that with low speaker points.
I majored in philosophy and strongly believe that LD is and should be a value driven debate. I'm open to most any argument, but I ask that your arguments be intended to engage with the topic and make for a meaningful debate.
Please do not go out of your way to make your position intentionally inaccessible or confusing. I will vote according to the the flow; regardless of my personal opinions on your debating style.
Disingenuous and gimmicky debate approaches will be met with low speaks; show to me that you've researched and thought more about this topic than anyone else.
Rong Cao
Shady Side Academy
None
Patrick Chen
Upper St Clair HS
None
Last changed on
Thu February 22, 2024 at 4:38 AM EDT
Traditional judge
Speak clearly and convince me of your side of the case
Sreeraghu Hanumolu
South Fayette HS
None
Guosheng Kang
Hampton HS
None
Saumitra Khajanchi
South Fayette HS
None
Mallika Matharu
Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Last changed on
Sat February 4, 2023 at 11:31 AM EDT
I am a previous PF debater, so I value logic and clarity in arguments (no long link chains) and no spreading.
Mark Matusiak
Fox Chapel Area High School
Last changed on
Wed January 3, 2024 at 8:10 AM EDT
competitor 1986 - 1990
judge and coach 1995 - present
I am a traditional debate judge.
I do not like spreading in debate rounds. If your delivery is too fast or too unclear, I will not be able to flow vital information. If that information is not on my flow, I cannot make a decision based on it when you tell me that it is a voting issue.
I prefer clash, thoughtful logic, and clear weighing mechanisms in a round.
Santosh Naik
North Allegheny
None
Shannon Quinn
West Allegheny High School
None
Heidi Rinkacs
Oakland Catholic High School
Last changed on
Tue January 16, 2024 at 1:56 PM EDT
I was my school's debate coach for five years and have been judging both public forum and Lincoln Douglas debates during that time period. I am now retired but continue to judge for my former team.
While I am ok with speed, please do not spread and be careful that you enunciate clearly. If I can't understand what you are saying, I won't be able to flow your speech and I will be frustrated at the end of the round.
I do work my way down the flow and prefer that debaters argue in the order of the flow. I do pay attention to dropped points but only if there is additional commentary on why the drop is important. Organizational skills matter so please go in the order that items were mentioned and try not to bounce around. If a round is close, I do consider voting issues to be a good way to break ties so please leave yourself enough time to include them.
I also expect all competitors to be respectful of each other. I will dock points for outwardly rude or arrogant behavior.
Annie Sippel
North Allegheny
Last changed on
Thu February 6, 2020 at 6:48 AM EDT
Former extemp-er, several years experience coaching/judging debate.
I value clash (don't just talk past each other) and clarity (if I cannot flow your argument it won't be weighed)
I enjoy good value debate, which makes it much easier for me to weigh the round
Abdus Wahed
North Allegheny
None