The Bay Area Urban Debate League celebrated the end of its inaugural season on May 16-17th, hosting its first annual League Championship Tournament at Fremont Federation. All of the chips were on the table in our Varsity Division as right to call themselves League Champions, as well as have their name engraved on BAUDL’s traveling championship crystal cup, were at stake for every team. After a full second day of elimination rounds narrowed the field to two teams, familiar faces squared off in the final round. Settling a score that goes back four tournaments, Skyline High’s Zach Seidl and Mya Whitaker emerged victorious over Street Academy’s Jessica Winsey and Tevah El Ehmet. Cal Prep’s Natassija Jordan took home the First Place Individual Speaker Award. In the Novice Division, the three-person team from Skyline High of Daneya Clay, Treschanna Green, and Kyle Phillips won the first place prize, defeating Fremont Federation’s Juan Ramos and Jazmin Garcia in the final round.

The League Championship Weekend was also host to BAUDL’s Year End Awards Ceremony, where students were recognized for their performance over the course of the entire season. The first place winner of the Most Improved Debater Award was EXCEL’s Tanesha Walker. The Year’s Top Individual Speaker was Skyline High’s Mya Whitaker.

Stay tuned for full results from the League Championship and the Year End Awards Ceremony, as well as photos from the weekend…