Northwestern Debate

The NU Wildcats are back home from the 79th National Debate Tournament. This was the first time since 2012 that Northwestern cleared three teams at the NDT. 💜 Thanks to Gonzaga for hosting! Excited to see everyone at NU for the OLC in just a few months—until then, take care!

NU Debate competed at the American Debate Association National Tournament hosted by Emory University. 🔥 Veronica & Mike reached quarters 🔥 Buck & Ahsan reached octos 🔥 Michael & Samuel reached doubles Veronica was 15th speaker; Mike was 16th. Next up, the 80th NDT! 😼

We want to recognize Michael Lee ‘26, who debated the final round of his career with Samuel Weisz ’29. He worked his way up from JV to making multiple elimination-round appearances. A true all-around NU debate GOAT. Congrats, Michael! 🎉 🐐

Congratulations to Buck Arney & Ahsan Tahirkheli for receiving a Second Round At-Large bid to the 80th National Debate Tournament! This honor is reserved for just six third teams nationwide to compete at the NDT. Go ‘Cats! 😼🤾🏼‍♂️

Congratulations to Northwestern LR (Mike Li & Veronica Rubin) and Northwestern PS (Jack Pacconi & Antonio Souchet) on earning First Round At-Large bids to the 80th National Debate Tournament!! This is an honor reserved for the top 16 teams in the country!! Go ‘Cats! 💜😸

At the 2026 Texas Open, we had 8 teams compete: 🏆 PS reached Octos 🏆 LR & AP reached Doubles 🦆 Lucia was 12th speaker 🦆 Antonio was 16th speaker Thank you to our friends @utdebate for hosting! 💜

The 2026 Dartmouth Round Robin is in full swing! Mike & Veronica will be representing Northwestern this weekend in Hanover. Go ‘Cats! 💜

We got our debate WIIINGS from @redbull to get us through the weekend! 🔥🪽

NU Debate kicked off 2026 virtually at the Georgetown Tournament! 👨‍💻 Veronica (7th Speaker) & Mike (12th Speaker) along with Antonio & Jack reached Octos. Maryclare & Lucia and Buck & Ahsan reached Doubles. All nine NU teams notched impressive wins and close elim decisions! 😼💜

Some of us got into our costumes for Halloween—some say costume, we say “Hey Siri, play Bags by Clairo” while sipping on matcha.

Northwestern Debate had a strong weekend at Gonzaga! 😼 🎃 Li/Rubin listened to Clairo on the way to quarterfinals 🎃 Arney/Tahirkheli matcha’d to octas 🎃 Nestor/Patterson 6-7’d their way to the doubles Mike earned 20th speaker, and Veronica was 6th overall! #GoCats #feminists

Congrats to @michigandebate’s Michigan BP on a fantastic finals debate and for being the champions of the 2025 OLC! Thank you for the great round! 💫Huge thanks to our amazing all-@emorydebate panel! #OLC2025

Northwestern Debate crushed it at the 2025 OLC! 🎉 🏆 Mike Li & Veronica Rubin - FINALS 💥 Jack Pacconi & Antonio Souchet (18th Speaker) - QTRS 🔥 Buck Arney & Ahsan Tahirkheli - DBLS ✨ Annabeth Lundberg & Sophie Leonard - had strong wins! Great to host everyone in Evanston!

Debaters, coaches, judges at the 2025 OLC - help yourself to some WIIINGS at Tech! Thank you @redbull for supplying the energy! ⚡️🏃‍♂️🪽😸 #OLC2025 Go Debate! 💜

WE ARE LIVE! Day 1 of the OLC! ☀️ High of 66° and sunny skies to start the season. PAIRINGS ARE OUT! 💜 #OLC2025

We’re just TWO days away from welcoming 400+ debaters, coaches & judges to the Owen L. Coon Memorial Debates at Northwestern! NU Debate is thrilled to host the season opener to kick off this year’s topic: Labor! Go Debate and Go ’Cats! 💜😸

The 2025 Northwestern Debate Institute has come to an end. Wishing everyone a successful upcoming season! Go ‘Cats! 😸

That’s a wrap on the #NDI2025 Camp Tournament! We were thrilled to welcome students from across the country—and around the world—to Evanston. Congrats to our top speakers, elimination round debaters, and everyone who made it amazing! Go ‘Cats! 😸

The camp tournament is in full swing—students are battling through rounds and incorporating feedback from our fantastic judges, all while keeping their cool under this heat dome. Go ‘Cats! #NDI2025

The 2025 Northwestern Debate Institute Staff Demonstration Debate featured Veronica Rubin (NU ‘26), Ethan Greer (@NUDebate Coach), Louis Martinez-Scarampi (NU ‘29), and Ari Arceo (NU ‘28)! Go ‘Cats! #NDI2025

Dr. Fitzmier gave words of wisdom to our students at the NDI! From the origins of debate and its rhetorical evolution: his lecture traced how philosophy and rhetoric shape every single argument. Students also spent time researching and getting ready for practice debates! #NDI2025