Yale Wins Debate Tournament

More than 300 students came to Cambridge this weekend to participate in the annual Harvard Parliamentary Debate Tournament, the largest college debate competition in the country.

Two debates from Yale University won the competition, beating the team from the University of Pennsylvania in the finals.

About 150 teams took part in the two-day competition, in which students speak extemporaneously on various ethical, political and social issues.

This year's tournament ran more than two hours behind schedule on Friday, organizers said, because several teams arrived late.

The competition's fast-paced format, which follows the rules of the British Parliament, forces students to think quickly under intense pressure, said Jason Abel, a debater from Williams College.

"Each two-person team is given a role: government or opposition," said Eric Save de Beaurecueil '96, president of the Harvard Speech and Parliamentary Debate Society (HSPDS). "The government poses a case and the opposition, having no prior knowledge of the subject, opposes."

The event also has its lighter moments, debaters said. Before the actual competition started, participants held an informal speech competition in which speakers had to lie their way out of hypothetical dilemmas.

Competitors had to pose as a naked Margaret Thatcher or as Mick Jagger caught shoplifting, among other scenarios.

Students said they enjoy debating, but many are also looking to hone their career skills.

"After law school I hope to become a power broker," said T.O. Whenhan, a student at Mount Allison University.

Sheldon Myrie, a senior at MIT, said he hopes his speaking skills will help him become a New York City Councillor after he attends law school.

Harvard's debate team, which didn't participate because they hosted the tournament, said they felt optimistic about their chances at gaining a national championship this season. Harvard has won four American Parliamentary Debate Association titles in 1983, 1986, 1989 and 1992.

"We have no choice--it is our destiny to win nationals in 1995," said Save de Beaurecueil, noting the pattern of Harvard winning every three years.

Revenue from this weekend's tournament will be used to pay expenses for HSPDS at future tournaments, Save de Beaurecueil said.