Category: National Circuit Results Page 1 of 13

2025 Harvard National Speech & Debate Tournament: Zhang Lives Up to #1 Ranking by Defeating the Largest National Circuit Field of the Year; Kalir-Starr Continues Hot Run

On March 13, 2025

An eye-popping 281 extempers traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts last month for the Harvard Speech and Debate Tournament, which once again lived up to its billing as the largest national circuit tournament of the season. The crowded field gave way to a star-studded final round where all of the extempers are ranked in the National Points Race and four of them had won National Points Race tournaments this season.

#1 Robert Zhang, who had seen his National Points Race lead shrink going into the tournament, made a strong statement to end the regular season, winning the championship by three ranks over #4 Daphne Kalir-Starr of the College Preparatory School (CA). Zhang was the only extemper to take multiple first place ranks in the final round, enabling him to win his fourth National Points Race event of the season in five final round appearances.

Kalir-Starr maintained a strong second semester run, making her sixth National Points Race final round. It is her third top three finish of the season as well.

#2 Waleed Haider of Hendrickson High School (TX) had a chance to become the new National Points Race leader in the final round but fell short of that mark. He took one first place rank in finals but a sixth place rank left him two ranks behind Kalir-Starr for second place. That is where Haider finished at the tournament last season. It is his fifth top three finish at a National Points Race event this season.

#5 Anthony Babu of Concord-Carlisle High School (MA) reached his fourth National Points Race final round. The reigning NSDA International Extemp national champion finished fourth, a mere rank ahead of #17 Charlotte Reitman of NSU University School (FL). Like the other extempers in the final round, Reitman is also a multi-time finalist this season with Harvard marking the third time that she has reached that point of a tournament. Reitman’s fifth place finish was two ranks clear of #11 Anushka Gupta of Westwood High School (TX), who entered Harvard after a win at Stanford in United States Extemp.

The elimination rounds were littered with other ranked extempers. #6 Al Zaidi of Holy Trinity Episcopal School (FL) reached semi-finals; #8 Kate Liu of Plano West Senior High School (TX), #9 Sahana Srikanth of Mason High School (OH), and #17 Lindsey Zhao of Plano Senior High School (TX) made it to quarter-finals; and #15 Alexandre Morel of Plano West, #16 Pranav Gorty of Plano Senior, #19 Kajal Parmar of Cary Academy (NC), and #22 Ishika Kothari of Plano East were eliminated in octa-finals.

Harvard is the only regular season contest that is a second tier tournament. As a result, all of the extempers who broke into elimination rounds will earn points. Zhang will receive 150 points for his win.

Here are the results of the 2025 Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament (Click here for tab sheet):

2025 California Invitational: Malik Cruises to Title With Strong Final Round Performance

By Logan Scisco

On March 6, 2025

In National Circuit Results

A strong contingent of 149 extempers from across the West Coast, Texas, and Louisiana attended this year’s California Invitational, hosted by the University of California-Berkeley. The tournament was the culmination of the National Points Race West Coast swing and counted as a third tier tournament.

Ali Malik of Monta Vista High School (CA) was making his second National Points Race final round appearance of the season and won by a comfortable nine-rank margin over Lexie Toshav of Isidore Newman School (LA). Toshav was the only non-Californian in the final round.

The tournament was tabulated from prelims to finals, a quirk that did not affect the final tabulation of the tournament as the top six finished as they placed in the last round. Malik won the final by four ranks, winning three of the five available first place ranks. He is the first Monta Vista extemper to win the California Invitational according to our records of the tournament, which go back to 2004.

#24 Andrew Zheng of Acalanes High School (CA) wrapped up a successful West Coast swing with a third place finish. In recent months Zheng notched a runner-up finish at the James Logan MLK Invitational in United States Extemp and a semi-finalist performance at Stanford. Zheng was one cumulative rank behind Toshav and two clear of Samuel Ma of Bellarmine College Preparatory (CA).

Ravi Bhat of Carlsbad High School (CA) made his second National Points Race final round of the season too, finishing in fifth place. In January, Bhat finished sixth in International Extemp at the MLK.

Sixth place in the crowded tournament went to Robert Fields of the Harker School (CA).

#12 Maximilian Guo of BASIS Silicon Valley had his hopes of two West Coast victories dashed in semi-finals. The quarter-finals was the end of the line of other ranked competitors in the field like #20 Abhijay Rana of Bellarmine and #25 Ellie Sohn of Flintridge Preparatory School (CA).

Defending champion Austin Bauman of Bellarmine made it to quarter-finals before he was eliminated.

Since the California Invitational was a third tier tournament, all of the extempers who reached the quarter-final round will earn points for the 2024-2025 National Points Race. As the champion, Malik earned 100 points.

Here are the results of the 2024 California Invitational (Click here for tab sheet):

2025 Stanford Invitational: California and Texas Split Titles and Finishes in IX and USX; Rana Beats Haider in IX While Gupta Beats Guo in USX

By Logan Scisco

On February 14, 2025

In National Circuit Results

Last weekend the second online tournament of this year’s National Points Race was held by Stanford University. The Stanford Invitational, upgraded to a fourth tier event because of its online nature, welcomed 56 extempers in International Extemp and 70 in United States Extemp. As expected, the tournament featured a diverse array of talent from across the United States, including many ranked extempers. It was the second of three tournaments in this year’s West Coast swing.

Abhijay Rana of Bellarmine College Preparatory (CA) led a dominating performance by his school in International Extemp, defeating Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin winner #2 Waleed Haider of Hendrickson High School (TX). Rana won the title by four ranks, winning two first place ranks out of five in the final round. Haider, who made his fourth National Points Race final round this season, did not pull a first place rank but was the second choice of three final round judges.

Third place in International Extemp went to #25 Anushka Gupta of Westwood High School, who tied Haider for second place but lost three to two on a judges’ preference tiebreaker. Gupta was the best performing extemper at the tournament, though, as she would perform even better in the United States Extemp portion of the tournament.

Bellarmine placed two additional extempers in the International Extemp final round as Andrew Lei finished fourth and Samuel Ma finished sixth.

Wedged between Lei and Ma was Sivani Babu of DuPont Manual High School (KY). Babu is the first Kentucky extemper to receive points in this year’s National Points Race.

California was not able to defend its home turf in United States Extemp, though, as Gupta bested five California extempers to win the title. Gupta denied Maximilian Guo of BASIS Silicon Valley the chance to win a second leg of the West Coast swing by one rank. Guo won three of the five first place ranks in the round but a sixth place rank from one of the judges cost him dearly.

#9 Daphne Kalir-Starr of the College Preparatory School (CA) maintained a rigorous travel schedule, notching a third place finish. Kalir-Starr was five ranks back of Gupta and four of Guo. Stanford was her fifth National Points Race final round this year, more than any other extemper.

One rank behind Kalir-Starr was Shloka Chawla of Leland High School (CA), who was followed in turn by Isaac Chen of Gabrielino High School (CA), and George Balan of Miramonte High School (CA).

Several ranked extempers made it to elimination rounds by did not clear to finals. In International Extemp #8 Sahana Srikanth of Mason High School (OH) was eliminated in semi-finals. In United States Extemp #1 Robert Zhang of Elkins High School (TX) was eliminated in quarter-finals. Also, Austin Bauman of Bellarmine College Preparatory, who won last year’s California Invitational, went out in semi-finals.

Since Stanford was a fourth tier event all extempers who reached semi-finals in their respective category will earn points. In the event that an extemper placed in each category, their highest finish will count for points. The tournament’s winners, Rana and Gupta, will each receive 70 points.

Here are the results of the 2025 Stanford Invitational (Click here for tab sheet):

2025 Apple Valley Minneapple: Minnesota Holds Serve in Each Extemp Category as Bhargava and Fertig Claim Titles

By Logan Scisco

On February 14, 2025

In National Circuit Results

Two weeks ago, Apple Valley High School hosted its annual Minneapple tournament in Minnesota, providing a Midwestern opportunity for credit in this year’s National Points Race. The tournament allowed extempers to compete in International and United States Extemp. 26 extempers competed in IX while 33 extempers competed in USX.

In International Extemp, Mina Bhargava of Edina High School (MN) defeated teammate Devarsh Borah by one rank to claim the championship. Bhargava took three of the five available first place ranks in the final round but pulling a fourth and fifth place rank nearly cost her the title as Borah earned four second place ranks, doomed only by a fifth place rank from the last judge. Bhargava also escaped elimination in the semi-finals, clearing out of her section by one rank.

Eagan High School (MN) dominated the rest of the placings in IX. Aayush Pandey took third, Anokhi Shah finished fourth, and Mia Werden placed fifth.

Minnesota also held serve in United States Extemp where Paul Fertig of Mounds Park Academy earned a convincing five rank win over Rohan Saarang of Eastview High School (MN).

There was a three-way tie for third place between three Moorhead High School (MN) extempers. Ella Larson won the tiebreaker for that spot while Jinu Lee placed fourth and Sam Rein-Strutz was fifth.

The only ranked extemper in the field was #9 Daphne Kalir-Starr from the College Preparatory School (CA). She was eliminated in the semi-finals of International Extemp, missing out on National Points Race points.

As a fifth tier tournament, the top six finishers in each extemp category will receive points. The winners, Bhargava and Fertig, will receive 40 points.

Here are the results of the 2025 Apple Valley Minneapple (Click here for tab sheet):

2025 Barkley Forum: Becker Makes History in Victory over an Impressive Final Round Field

By Logan Scisco

On February 13, 2025

In National Circuit Results

This year’s Barkley Forum, held on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in late January, drew a large field of 99 extempers, helping the tournament live up to its reputation as one of the biggest Southern tournaments of the year.

Like James Logan’s MLK Invitational held a week before, history was made as Zoe Becker of the School Without Walls (Washington, D.C.) became the first extemper from the District of Columbia to win a National Points Race tournament. Becker took down a field of past and current National Points Race tournament winners, many of whom are ranked in the top 25.

In the final round, which the tournament dubs as the James Copeland Exhibition Round, Becker was the only extemper to win multiple first place ranks among the round’s five judges. That allowed for a four-rank win over Florida Blue Key winner #15 Sven Stumbaeur of Christopher Columbus High School (FL).

Charlotte Reitman of NSU University School (FL) finished in third, the same place as she did at last year’s event. Reitman was one rank behind Stumbaeur but finished one rank ahead of Alexandre Morel of Plano West Senior High School (TX). Reitman and Morel were making their second appearance in a National Points Race final round this season.

There was a tie for fifth place between Rehan Buvvaji of Plano West and #9 Daphne Kalir-Starr of the College Preparatory School (CA). Buvvaji won it by a judges preference tiebreaker three to two. Kalir-Starr was making her fourth National Points Race final round appearance after a runner-up finish at the James Logan MLK Invitational.

A few other ranked extempers made it to elimination rounds. #8 Sahana Srikanth of Mason High School (OH), #22 Kaitlyn Fan of Plano West, and #25 Anushuka Gupta of Westwood High School (TX) made it to semi-finals. #5 Al Zaidi of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (FL) dropped in quarter-finals.

Since the Barkley Forum was a fourth tier event, all extempers who reached semi-finals will receive some points toward the National Points Race. Becker will receive 70 points for her victory.

Here are the results of the 2025 Barkley Forum (Click here for tab sheet):

2025 James Logan MLK Invitational: Zwonitzer’s Dominant Win Makes National Points Race History; Guo and Zheng Fight to Split Decision in U.S. Extemp

By Logan Scisco

On February 4, 2025

In National Circuit Results

The West Coast Swing of the 2024-2025 Extemp Central National Points Race began several weeks ago over Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend when James Logan High School hosted its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Invitational. 77 extempers competed in International Extemp and 72 competed in United States Extemp, with most competitors coming from California.

National Points Race history was made in International Extemp when Sadie Zwonitzer of Cheyenne East High School (WY) beat #9 Daphne Kalir-Starr of the College Preparatory School (CA), becoming the first Wyoming extemper to ever win a National Points Race tournament. The outcome was not close as Zwonitzer won the cumulative tournament by ten ranks and won the final round by five.

Kalir-Starr, who was the highest ranked extemper in the James Logan field of either extemp category and made her third National Points Race final round this year, finished one rank ahead of third place finisher Andrew Park of Archbishop Mitty High School (CA).

In United States Extemp, Maximilian Guo of BASIS Silicon Valley (CA) won a two-rank decision over Andrew Zheng of Acalanes High School (CA). Zheng, who was the best overall extemper at the tournament by also finishing seventh in International Extemp, won the final round by three ranks, winning three of the five available first place ranks.

The race for third place in United States Extemp was close as Ali Malik of Monta Vista High School (CA) defeated Natalia San Lucas of Gabrielino High School (CA) by one rank. Malik and San Lucas tied in the final round.

Several notables who finished well in other parts of the tournament included a fifth place finish in International Extemp by Joy Hu of the Harker School (CA) and a semi-finalist placing in International Extemp by #22 Brandon Cheng of Flintridge Preparatory School (CA).

Bellarmine College Preparatory (CA) turned in a strong finish as a school, placing an extemper in the International Extemp final round and four additional semi-finalists.

This year’s James Logan MLK Invitational was a fifth tier event in the National Points Race so the only extempers who will earn points are the top six finishers. Zwonitzer and Guo will receive 40 points for winning their respective extemp categories.

Here are the results of the 2025 James Logan MLK Invitational (Click here for tab sheet):

2024-2025 Extemp Central National Points Race: New Standings Reflect the Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin!

By Logan Scisco

On January 9, 2025

In National Circuit Results

New standings for the 2024-2025 Extemp Central National Points Race are have been posted to reflect the results of the 2025 Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin. Check them out by clicking here or the “Natl Points Race” tab above.

MBA provided a few small changes in the standings but Robert Zhang of Elkins High School (TX) maintains the top spot, now possessing a 98 point leader over MBA winner and fellow Texan Waleed Haider of Hendrickson High School (TX).

The next National Points Race event will be in two weeks when James Logan High School in Union City, California hosts its MLK Invitational. It will be a fifth tier event, awarding points to the finalists of International Extemp and United States Extemp.

2025 Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin: Haider Wins Convincing Victory over Star-Studded Field

By Logan Scisco

On January 7, 2025

In MBA Coverage, National Circuit Results

Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) in Nashville, Tennessee hosted the season’s first major tournament last weekend, inviting the top 16 extempers in the country for a one of a kind competition. Extempers competed in ten rounds against each other, hitting each other twice.

When the cumulative tournament finished, #10 Waleed Haider of Hendrickson High School (TX) emerged as the winner, winning his first National Points Race tournament of the year in three final round appearances. Haider had not earned points since a runner-up finish at Yale at the beginning of the season but made an impact in Nashville, finishing six ranks clear of #1 Robert Zhang of Elkins High School (TX). Haider took control of the tournament after the fifth round and never relinquished the lead. He is the first Texan to win the title since 2019.

Zhang, who led the tournament after the first round, was a fifth place finisher last season.

NSDA defending national champions #19 Tea Shouldice of Half Hollow Hills East High School (NY) and #6 Anthony Babu of Concord-Carlisle High School (MA) took third and fourth, separated by two ranks. Shouldice briefly led the tournament between rounds two and five. Babu was attempting to win back-to-back National Points Race tournaments as he won the Princeton Classic last month.

#3 Rowan Seipp of A&M Consolidated High School (TX) continued a strong run since November, taking fifth place.

Last year’s National Points Race winner Brandon Cheng of Flintridge Preparatory School (CA) earned his first points of the season, finishing sixth. This was the same placing that Cheng earned at last year’s event.

Haider will receive a big boost in the National Points Race standings for winning MBA, earning 150 points since it is a second tier event. All of the extempers that placed in the top six, the only finishing positions that MBA recognizes, will earn points.

Here are the results of the 2025 Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin:

2024 George Mason University Patriot Games: Parmar Captures First National Points Race Title Against Two Ranked Extempers

By Logan Scisco

On January 1, 2025

In National Circuit Results

The last National Points Race tournament that took place the first weekend of December was the George Mason University Patriot Games, held on December 7-8 in Fairfax, Virginia. 66 extempers competed, eleven more than the previous year.

The tournament was won by #13 Kajal Parmar of Cary Academy (NC). Parmar, who was appearing in her second National Points Race final round, defeated #10 Aparna Iyer of Ridge High School (NJ), who was making her third National Points Race final round appearance of the semester, by three ranks. Meredith Vorndran of the Potomac School (VA) tied Iyer for second but lost on a judges preference tiebreaker.

Parmar is the first North Carolina extemper to win the Patriot Games since 2010. That year saw Nathaniel Donahue of Durham Academy win the title.

#7 Daphne Kalir-Starr of the College Preparatory School (CA), a fourth place finisher at the New York City Invitational earlier in the season, finished fourth. Kalir-Starr was four ranks back of Vorndran and two ahead of Eva Chen of Ridge and Shretsa Antil of Ridge, who tied for fifth place. Chen defeated Antil for the position by judges’ preference.

The GMU final round had seven competitors, with seventh going to Anna Benjamin of Cary Academy.

Since the Patriot Games was a fifth tier event, only the top six finalists earned points. Parmar will receive 40 points for her victory.

Here are the results of the 2024 George Mason University Patriot Games (Click here for tab sheet):

2024 Princeton Classic: Babu Captures First National Points Race Title of the Season, Denies a New York Victory

By Logan Scisco

On December 31, 2024

In National Circuit Results

This was the first season that the Princeton Classic, held on the campus of Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey from December 6-8, was a National Points Race event. A field of 81 extempers attended, mostly drawn from Northeast, although other extempers came from Ohio and Florida.

#16 Anthony Babu of Concord-Carlisle High School (MA) was the highest ranked competitor in the field and the reigning NSDA International Extemp National Champion lived up to the billing, winning the cumulative tournament by four ranks. Babu took four of the five available first place ranks in the final round, defeating Arya Goyal of Scardsale High School (NY). It is Babu’s first National Points Race tournament win of the season and his second final round appearance. He placed second at the New York City Invitational in October.

Unlike the University of Texas-Austin Longhorn Classic, there was more spacing in the placing of competitors at Princeton. John Germak of Regis High School (NY) was third, nine ranks back of Babu and five of Goyal. But seven ranks separated Germak from fourth place finisher Daniela Holden of the Berkeley Carroll School (NY). There was also a four rank gap between Shane Quadras of Regis and Manuela Mejia-Fanjul of the Convent of the Sacred Heart (NY) for fifth place.

Scarsdale High School had the best showing as a team, placing five extempers in elimination rounds.

Princeton was selected as a fourth tier event to begin the season so Babu will receive 70 points for his victory. All competitors who reached the semi-final round will receive points.

Here are the results of the 2024 Princeton Classic (Click here for tab sheet):

2024 University of Texas-Austin Longhorn Classic: Abraham Zhang Keeps Plano West’s Hold on IX Title; Robert Zhang Regains National Points Race Lead with Narrow USX Win

By Logan Scisco

On December 31, 2024

In National Circuit Results

Another sizeable field from the state of Texas, coupled with a few out of state extempers, was drawn to the silver anniversary of the University of Texas at Austin’s Longhorn Classic, which took place from December 6-8 in Austin, Texas. The tournament allowed extempers to double in each category and this year’s tournament was dominated entirely by Texans as no out of state competitor reached a final or semi-final round.

International Extemp was won by an extemper from Plano West Senior High School for the third consecutive year as Abraham Zhang earned a two rank victory over Pranav Gorty of Plano East Senior High School (TX). Arya Gurumukhi of Plano East took third, finishing four ranks behind Zhang and two behind Gorty. Zhang’s victory was powered by earning two of the three available first place ranks in the final round.

The only nationally ranked competitor that made the International Extemp final was #6 Rowan Seipp of A&M Consolidated High School (TX), who was coming off a Glenbrooks second place finish last month. Seipp took sixth place.

Seipp did better in United States Extemp, notching a second place finish by a mere rank behind #3 Robert Zhang of Elkins High School (TX), who will regain the National Points Race lead after relinquishing it at the Glenbrooks. Zhang earned his third National Points Race victory of the season in final round three appearances in a split final round where winning required a seven rank composite score. Seipp’s title hopes were dashed by a fifth place rank from one of the three final round judges but he was the highest placing extemper across both categories at this year’s tournament.

#17 Lindsey Zhao of Plano Senior High School (TX) took fourth place in U.S. Extemp, placing one rank behind Ishika Kothari of Plano East. In an illustration of how close the final round of U.S. Extemp was, there was only a one rank difference in each placing from Zhang to fifth place finisher Pranav Kothur of Tompkins High School (TX).

Other notable finishers at the Longhorn included #12 Alexandre Morel of Plano West, who was a quarter-finalist in International Extemp, and #21 Joy Hu of the Harker School (CA) and #21 Eric Qian of Plano West, who were a quarter-finalists in United States Extemp.

The Longhorn Classic was a third tier tournament so all extempers who reached elimination rounds will earn points. To avoid double counting, an extemper’s highest finish will be credited to the National Points Race. So, for example, Seipp’s runner-up finish will be logged for 85 points but not his sixth place finish in United States Extemp for 33 points. Abraham Zhang and Robert Zhang will receive 100 points for their wins.

Here are the results of the 2024 University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Classic (Click here for tab sheet):

2024 Glenbrooks: Liu Outduels Seipp for First National Points Race Tournament Win

By Logan Scisco

On December 3, 2024

In National Circuit Results

This year’s Glenbrooks, the first third tier event in the National Points Race, drew a large field of 103 competitors. It was the second-largest gathering of extempers this season for a National Points Race event.

Texas maintained its lock on the Glenbrooks title as #9 Kate Liu of Plano West Senior High School earned a two-rank victory over Rowan Seipp of A&M Consolidated High School (TX). Liu and Seipp took all of the first place ranks from the five judges with Liu winning three and Seipp taking two. This distanced both of them from the rest of the final round, finishing at least ten ranks ahead of everyone else.

Texas had a dominating showing generally as Alexandre Morel of Plano West, last year’s Extemp TOC winner, finished fifth and Lindsey Zhao of Plano Senior High School (TX) took sixth. The state had four additional participants in the semi-finals and quarter-finals, bested only by California, which had one finalist, three semi-finalists, and two quarter-finalists.

The biggest story for the National Points Race was that there will be a new leader when rankings come out later this week. #2 Al Zaidi of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (FL) notched his third National Points Race final round appearance, which was good enough to overtake #1 Robert Zhang of Elkins High School (TX), who was in the field but did not survive the brutal break to quarter-finals after preliminaries.

17 Ellie Sohn of Flintridge Preparatory School (CA) reached her first National Points Race final round of the year, placing two ranks behind Zaidi and taking fourth place.

Other notable finishes included semi-final performances by #4 Sahana Srikanth of Mason High School (OH) and #8 Daphne Kalir-Starr of the College Preparatory School (CA). #16 Kajal Parmar of Cary Academy (NC) made it to quarter-finals before being eliminated.

All of the extempers who broke at the tournament will receive National Points Race points. Liu will receive 100 points for her first National Points Race tournament title.

Here are the results of the 2024 Glenbrooks (Click here for tab sheet):

2024 Florida Blue Key: Stumbauer Wins Floridian Duel with Zaidi

By Logan Scisco

On November 14, 2024

In National Circuit Results

This year’s Florida Blue Key, held on November 1-3 on the campus of the University of Florida, drew a field of 68 extempers. Most attendees were from Florida but extempers from North Carolina, Texas, New York, California, and Ohio made the trip for the second fourth tier tournament in this year’s National Points Race.

Sven Stumbauer of Christopher Columbus High School (FL) won a very divided final round, defeating #6 Al Zaidi of Holy Trinity Episcopal School (FL) by two ranks to claim the title. Stumbauer took one first place rank in finals, as did Zaidi. That made secondary ranks important as Stumbauer took two second place ranks while Zaidi, pulled two third place ranks.

Kate Liu of Plano West Senior High School (TX) was the highest finishing non-Floridian, taking third place. She finished four ranks back of Stumbauer and two of Zaidi, taking the other available first place rank in the final round.

Of the three remaining finalists, #5 Sahana Srikanth of Mason High School (OH) was most notable because of reaching a third National Points Race final round this year, more than any other competitor to this point in the season. Srikanth took sixth, seven ranks back of Shriya Dharmapurikar of Durham Academy (NC) and two back of Rohan Dash of Pine View School (NC).

There were several notable extempers in the field who did not reach the final round. #8 Charlotte Reitman of NSU University School (FL) was defending champion but dropped in quarter-finals. #7 Daphne Kalir-Starr of the College Preparatory School (CA) and #16 Kai Forbach of Durham made it to semi-finals.

Jonah Downs of Trinity Preparatory School (FL) was the winner of the Blue Key Round Robin held before the tournament. Downs defeated Pranav Gorty of Plano East Senior High School (TX) by two ranks after four rounds of competition. Gorty would reach quarter-finals of the general tournament while Downs did not clear out of preliminaries.

This year’s Blue Key was upgraded to fourth tier status so all extempers who reached semi-finals will earn National Points Race points. Stumbauer earns 70 points as the winner. No credit is awarded for the Blue Key Round Robin. New National Points Race standings will be released tomorrow night.

Here are the results of the 2024 Florida Blue Key (Click here for tab sheet):

2024 New York City Invitational: National Champions Shouldice and Babu Split Tournament Championship and the Final Round

By Logan Scisco

On October 24, 2024

In National Circuit Results

63 extempers, mostly from the Northeast, entered the 54th edition of the New York City Invitational last weekend in New York City. The Bronx High School of Science hosted the event.

The tournament ended with a final round clash of defending national champions. Tea Shouldice of Half Hollow Hills High School East (NY), the defending National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) national champion in United States Extemp, defeated the defending NSDA International Extemp champion Anthony Babu of Concord-Carlisle High School (NY) by one rank. Shouldice and Babu each won two first place ranks among the five judge panel in finals and Babu won the final round by one rank. However, due to the tournament’s cumulative nature through preliminary rounds Shouldice was declared the winner.

Al Zaidi of Holy Trinity Episcopal School (FL), a semi-finalist at Yale, placed third. Zaidi finished five ranks back of Shouldice.

The only sophomore in the final round, Daphne Kalir-Starr of the College Preparatory School (CA), also a Yale semi-finalist, finished fourth. Kalir-Starr took the one first place rank in the final round that was not won by Shouldice and Babu, needing it to win a tiebreaker over Aparna Iyer of Ridge High School (NJ). Iyer was in their second National Points Race final of the year after finishing third at Yale.

Kai Forbach of Durham Academy (NC) finished sixth.

The tournament was a fifth tier event in the National Points Race so only those extempers who reached the final round will earn points. Shouldice will earn 40 points for her win. The first National Points Race standings of the season will be posted tomorrow evening.

Here are the results of the 2024 New York City Invitational (Click here for tab sheet):

2024 Yale Invitational: Zhang Wins Second Consecutive Title in Another Close Finish

By Logan Scisco

On September 26, 2024

In National Circuit Results

A massive field of 114 extempers gathered for last weekend’s Yale Invitational, the kickoff to the extemporaneous speaking season in New England and the second National Points Race event on the 2024-2025 calendar.

The in-person event had familiar faces as three of the finalists were also in the final round of the online National Speech and Debate Season Opener. Robert Zhang of Elkins High School (TX) notched another national circuit win, winning a tiebreaker over fellow Texan Waleed Haider of Hendrickson High School. Zhang and Haider, who entered elimination rounds with six others in first place, ended the tournament with identical composites in the cumulative tournament that counts ranks from preliminary rounds through the final round. The tie was broken by final round performance, which Zhang won by two ranks. That happened despite Haider capturing two first place ranks among the five final round judges, making him the only finalist to win multiple first place ranks. Zhang follows in the footsteps of Amy Cao of Ridge High School (NJ), who won the first two National Points Race tournaments last year.

One rank behind Zhang and Haider was Aparna Iyer of Ridge High School, who came close to delivering the school its second Yale championship in as many years. And two more ranks behind was Charlotte Reitman of NSU University School (FL). Reitman won two National Points Race events last year at the Florida Blue Key and the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions (TOC).

Anish Mehta of Scarsdale High School (NY) and Sahana Srikanth of Mason High School (OH) finished much further back of Zhang by 17 and 22 ranks, respectively. Srikanth was making a second National Points Race final round this season after coming within one rank of defeating Zhang at the Season Opener.

Tea Shouldice of Half Hollow Hills East High School (NY), the defending National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Champion in United States Extemp, started her season off with a semi-final finish.

Scarsdale High School the best showing among schools in attendance, placing six extempers in the elimination rounds.

Since Yale was a fourth tier event all of the extempers who reached finals and semi-finals will earn points. The first National Points Race standings will be released after the New York City Invitational in a few weeks, thereby giving the initial release more data.