Extemp Central

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):

Extemp Central News Quiz for the Week of March 3-9, 2025

By Logan Scisco

On March 5, 2025

In Quiz

Here is this week’s news quiz! Good luck!

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of March 3-9, 2025

By Logan Scisco

On March 3, 2025

In International Extemp, Weekly Questions

Should Turkey release Abdullah Ocalan?
If you were Volodymyr Zelensky, what would you do after the disastrous Oval Office meeting with President Trump?
Will the AfD’s exclusion from coalition talks make it stronger?
Is it in Israel’s national security interest to have a viable, independent Palestinian state?
Will other countries try to mirror the DOGE experiment?
How stable is Jordan’s monarchy?
What should the new Syrian constitution include?
Was it a mistake for Romanian authorities to lift a travel ban on the Tate brothers?
Is Iran making a mistake in ruling out direct talks with the Trump administration?
What is most needed to protect Europe from Russia?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of March 3-9, 2025

By Logan Scisco

On March 3, 2025

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Would a DOGE stimulus check make U.S. inflation worse?
What grade does President Trump deserve for his first month in office?
Who would win a Florida gubernatorial primary between Casey DeSantis and Byron Daniels?
What can mainstream news outlets do to regain the trust of the American people?
Is there a method to President Trump’s madness?
What is the appropriate role for DEI in U.S. education?
As the U.S. pushes nuclear energy, what should be done with the waste?
Why did Skype lose to other video calling services?
How can Democrats win back the working class?
Has the resistance to Donald Trump collapsed?

Extemp Central News Quiz for the Week of February 24-March 2, 2025

By Logan Scisco

On February 26, 2025

In Quiz

Here is this week’s news quiz! Good luck!

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of February 24-March 2, 2025

By Logan Scisco

On February 24, 2025

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

How would the removal of Eric Adams as New York City mayor impact the next mayoral election?
Is income inequality beginning to weigh on the health of the U.S. economy?
Should the Trump administration be paying more attention to inflation?
Why have Americans tired of supporting Ukraine?
Will Trump’s Pentagon purge imperil U.S. national security?
If federal research funding is cut, will this erode America’s standing as a global technology leader?
Could mass federal layoffs turn Virginia solid red again?
Should U.S. schools move away from 1:1 technology?
Would a U.S. invasion of Mexico to attack drug cartels become Iraq 2.0?
Should Illinois allow its southeast counties to join Indiana?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of February 24-March 2, 2025

By Logan Scisco

On February 24, 2025

In International Extemp, Weekly Questions

Who was the biggest loser in the German federal elections?
Will broader use of AI weaken or strengthen authoritarian regimes?
Is a closer relationship between the U.S. and Russia good for global security?
What steps should South Africa take to solve its cost of living crisis?
Should the Ukrainian government hold a presidential election in wartime?
Is the $LIBRA scandal a threat to Milei’s presidency?
What can Zelensky do to change Trump’s mind?
Should Great Britain ban all knives with pointed ends?
What impact would peace in Ukraine have on international gas markets?
Are the EU’s tech rules too strict?

Extemp Central News Quiz for the Week of February 17-23, 2025

By Logan Scisco

On February 19, 2025

In Quiz

It is time for another news quiz! Good luck!

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of February 17-23, 2025

By Logan Scisco

On February 17, 2025

In International Extemp, Weekly Questions

What should Jordan’s King Abdullah II do if President Trump cuts all U.S. aid?
Was Iohannis’ resignation a boost for the Romania far-right?
Which candidate is best positioned to win Ecuador’s presidential runoff this spring?
Does the integration of the Baltics into the EU’s electric grid enhance European security?
Has Israel’s war in Gaza made peace in the Middle East easier or harder?
Why do South Korean presidents frequently overstep?
To what extent can AI help the global battle against climate change?
Is Quebec separatism rising again?
Should the EU have a seat at the table in Ukraine-Russia peace talks?
When it is time to select the next pope will the Catholic Church move in a more conservative direction?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of February 17-23, 2025

By Logan Scisco

On February 17, 2025

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Should Pete Buttigieg run for Michigan’s Senate seat in 2026?
Would cuts to the FDIC’s staff threaten the safety of the U.S. banking system?
Is the Trump administration prepared to respond to a bird flu pandemic?
Will Musk’s group win its hostile bid for OpenAI?
Why has the Democratic Party failed to counter Trump’s opening moves?
If President Trump gets a Supreme Court appointment, who might he pick?
Is the U.S. becoming another Hungary?
Does the Democratic Party need to take significant steps to win back male voters?
Has U.S. deindustrialization created a national security problem?
Does U.S. higher education need a shakeup?

2024-2025 Extemp Central National Points Race: New Standings Reflect James Logan, Barkley Forum, the Minneapple & Stanford!

By Logan Scisco

On February 14, 2025

In National Points Race

New standings for the 2024-2025 Extemp Central National Points Race are have been posted! These reflects the results of the past month of tournaments that include the James Logan MLK Invitational, the Barkley Forum, the Apple Valley Minneapple, and the Stanford Invitational. Check them out by clicking here or the “Natl Points Race” tab above.

Robert Zhang of Elkins High School (TX) retains the first place spot but Waleed Haider of Hendrickson High School (TX) is drawing closer.

The National Points Race concludes this weekend when nearly 300 extempers will attend Harvard’s National Speech and Debate Tournament and more than 150 extempers will compete that the University of California-Berkeley’s California Invitational. As second and third tier events, respectively, these competitions could provide a big shakeup in the standings before postseason tournaments begin.

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):