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Dartmouth Forensic Union

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Dartmouth Forensic Union

Connect to the Dartmouth Forensic Union - Past, Present, and Future. Dartmouth College's Policy Debate Team.

11/05/2025

The DFU enjoyed a return to Gonzaga last weekend (though some of us were competing from Hanover). Nora Cai '27 & Leah Goldberg '28 lost a close 2-1 in the doubles to Iowa AP. Sheima Ben-Abdallah '28 & Katie Carpenter '28 as well as Judah Jones '28 & Sebastian Rao '28 were close to clearing with challenging break rounds on day 2.
The DFU's striking elves and strikebreaker Santa once again lost to KU in the costume contest. Not pictured: John Turner, Grinch.

10/09/2025

The DFU's largest contingent in a long time descended on the J.W. Patterson debates at the University of Kentucky:
Sheima Ben-Abdallah '27 & Katie Carpenter '28
Cooper Brody '29 & Saanvi Goyal '29
Nora Cai '27 & Leah Goldberg '28
Hanjia Guo '28 & Eli Hatton '29
Alex Hant '29 & Jared Gonzalez '29
Judah Jones '28 & Sebastian Rao '28
Kavneer Majhail '29 & Michael Ross '29
Ethan Park '29 & Alena Tejavanija '29
Nora and Leah bowed out in a hard fought debate versus MSU GL in the doubles. BC and MR both unfortunately missed on points, though that reflected a large and deep field. Congratulations to Cooper, Saanvi, Alex, Jared, and Alena (along with MR) for their first victories in college debate!

10/08/2025

DFU alumni returned in August for a reunion weekend. Over 50 former DFU debaters starting with 60s and ending with 24s enjoyed spectacular summer weather, dinners, interviews, and war stories, and a presentation on contemporary debate from current debaters. An incredible honor to hear from so many of the alumni coached by Herb James and Ken Strange. Though much has changed during the 65 years of the DFU represented the ease with which everyone shared their stories reflects the shared commitment to excellence, enjoyment, and in-depth research shared across the generations of Dartmouth Debate. The whole crew lifted our glasses in a toast to Tony Roisman '60, NDT Champion, filled with champagne provided (in abstentia) by fellow NDT Champions Tom Brewer '68 and John Isaacson '68. An incredible crew and a wonderful weekend.

10/07/2025

The DFU's start to the 2025-26 season has been busy. Over 20 students joined the preseason this year, for our largest year in memory. We opened the season at Northwestern with five teams competing:
Sheima Ben-Abdallah '27 & Judah Jones '28
Hanjia Guo '28 & Katharine Morley '28
Eli Hatton '29 & Ethan Park '29
Sebastian Rao '28 & Harlan Katyal '28
Nora Cai '27 & Leah Goldberg '28
Eli and Ethan each won their first college debates. Many of the other '29s were unable to join due to Orientation and First Year Trips.
Nora and Leah reached the octafinals as the 17th seed. They defeated Northwestern AT in the doubles and lost to the top seed, KU LS, in the octas.

04/14/2025

The DFU completed a strong 2025 season with an excellent showing at the NDT. Nora Cai '27 & Holland Bald '25 were awarded the 3rd First-Round plaque. Dartmouth BC reached the semi-finals, losing on a 4-1 to Kansas MR. NEO CAI '25 & Anish Guddati '28 lost a challenging break round, but were able to read Neo's Oil Futures margin requirements aff in round 8.
This is the DFU's 4th semis or better finish in 5 years at the NDT. Though longer posts for Holland and Neo await their graduation, it is important to recognize their contributions to a team culture capable of that level of performance. Their commitment to high-quality research, dedication to their teammates, and good-spirited approach to competition has been vital part of the DFU for four years. Thank you to all the debaters, coaches, and alumni working who made this achievement possible.
Thank you to our Gonzaga hosts for a gorgeous setting for the NDT. Thank you to our opponents for a challenging and engaging tournament.

04/04/2025

The DFU completed our intensive preparation period for the 79th NDT hosted by Gonzaga. Other Dartmouth students often refer to these two weeks as "Spring Break." DFU team spirit was on full display, with significant contributions from many debaters who will not be joining Holland, Neo, Nora, and Anish in Spokane. Debates start tomorrow - wish us luck!

03/03/2025

The DFU qualified two teams to the NDT this year. Holland Bald '25 & Nora Cai '27 received a First-Round At-Large bid.
Holland becomes only the second Dartmouth debater (joining Brian Smith) to qualify to the NDT via first-round four times!
Neo Cai '25 & Anish Guddati '28 qualified via the District 8 tournament, following up on their excellent end to the regular season. Thank you to Suffolk University for hosting the D8 tournament.
We will begin the NDT work period after winter term finals. Then we fly to Gonzaga for the NDT.

02/11/2025

The DFU concluded a successful regular season at the University of Texas. Neo Cai '25 & Anish Guddati '28 broke out with impressive wins in the doubles and octas, eventually falling to Wake Forest in the quarterfinals. Nora Cai '27 & Holland Bald '25 reached the octafinals en route to their First-Round At-Large bid to the NDT this year. Seven Dartmouth teams competed:
Sheima Ben-Abdallah '27 & Judah Jones '28
Katie Carpenter '28 & Leah Goldberg '28
Hanjia Guo '28 & Katharine Morley '28
Harlan Katyal '28 & Sebastian Rao '28
Zoey Lin '26 & Erica Mao '28
This was our largest squad at the end of the season in a long time (perhaps ever?). Great to see so many of the faces from the preseason at the end of the year.
Thank you to our hosts at UT - we enjoyed our spring weather break.

01/31/2025

Congratulations to the participants in the Herbert L. James Debates - The Dartmouth Round Robin! Our invitees this year: Binghamton University: T. Louis & Cohn
Dartmouth College: Bald & Cai
Emory University: Gallagher & Hecht
Northwestern University: Deo & Rubin
University of Kansas: Revare & Marshall
University of Kentucky: Adam & McBlain
University of Michigan: Barrett & Park

Congratulations to Graham Revare and John Marshall of the University of Kansas on winning with a record of 4-2! They were followed closely by 2nd place Michigan Barrett & Park and 3rd place Emory Gallagher & Hecht both also at 4-2.
Given the tied records at the top, John Marshall receipt of the Kenneth M. Strange top speaker award helped make the difference for Kansas. Likewise for 2nd speaker Jiyoon Park of Michigan and 3rd speaker Graham Revare of Kansas.
Congratulations to Binghamton on their first ever invite!
As always, the DFU enjoyed hosting in Hanover.

01/11/2025

The DFU opened the new year at the Georgetown Tournament. Holland Bald '25 & Nora Cai '27 lost a close octafinals debate to Macalester as the 2nd seed after winning the 3rd and 2nd speaker awards. Unfortunately, no speaker award pictures because elims moved online after a snow storm shut down most of DC. Neo Cai '25 & Anish Guddati '28 reached the double-octafinals - a first for Anish and a strong performance by a new partnership.
Sheima Ben-Abdallah '27 & Judah Jones '28, Katie Carpenter '28 & Leah Goldberg '28, Harlan Katyal '28 & Sebastian Rao '28, and Erica Mao '28 & Katharine Morley '28 completed our large and boisterous crew with a number of solid wins to build on for the remainder of the year.

11/07/2024

The DFU wants to recognize the end of Jenny Vazquez Torres' '24 DFU career. As everyone in the DFU agrees, Jenny is the coolest. Jenny stuck with the DFU even after arriving during the COVID online only season. Our team has been privileged to enjoy Jenny's sly humor, dedication, and camaraderie. Jenny embodies the DFU's commitment to process and patience -- qualifying the NDT twice after limited opportunities to compete early in her career. Jenny ends on a year of consistently clearing at major tournaments and embracing a role as a team leader. Though she magnanimously bequeathed her title as the coolest, we know that is the way that Jenny will be remembered in the DFU. Thank you Jenny!

11/05/2024

Holland Bald '25 & Nora Cai '27 won the 2024 Harvard Tournament! The Harvard tournament is always a nail-biter clearing to octas. Holland and Nora performed admirably under pressure while debating many of the top teams in the country. Everyone in the DFU enjoys seeing their diligence and effort rewarded. The DFU's unofficial mascot, my cat Chuckie, was able to celebrate in abstentia as Nora's Turner costume prop. It's a joy to share in the celebration with the entire DFU -- even when they show up as a surprise team costume of grumpy Turners.

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