Lanier Achieves Middle School Threepeat
posted by Jon Cruz on June 28th, 2005
HOUSTON, TX - Congratulations to the members of the Lanier Middle School Debate Team who won the Middle School Forensic League National Tournament this past weekend, achieving an unprecedented “threepeat.” The team, ranked first in the nation among middle schools for the past three years, has not lost a tournament since 2002. (An official press release indicates a record of “30-0.”) The top-ranked middle school programs competed in San Antonio June 24-26 at Nationals. Lanier debaters will be meeting with the press for interviews following a brief ceremony later today.
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Posted from: 70.111.115.216
June 28th, 2005 14:14
Wow. Congrats.
I wish we’d have a middle school program like that.
Heck, I wish we’d have any middle school program.
Posted from: 66.176.34.57
June 28th, 2005 20:41
Anyone have any idea if there’s a high school program that this school feeds into? Did anyone from this school go on to competing on the national circuit during their time in high school?
Posted from: 24.206.69.220
June 29th, 2005 08:09
Yea they did really really good and they have an awesome coach, I know I said that before but its worth saying again.
HAHAHA…no one remembers the second place team even if one of their debaters gets top speaker.
Again Albright Middle School has nothing but respect for you all and even tho I am no longer an Albright Debater I may observe Nationals in Cali. next yr.
Posted from: 172.168.154.122
June 29th, 2005 08:15
Not only did the middle schoolers win Nationals, the LDers closed out semifinals.
The four in semis were Rachel Vogel(8th) , Ellen Farber(8th), Sesenu Woldemarian (7th), and Josh Rozner (7th). Lanier grabbed first (Sesenu), third (Rozner), fourth(Rachel), and seventh(Ellen) seed. Josh Vanderslice(8th) missed breaking by 1 speaker point, and came in 9th seed. To break, a debater must have dropped no more than two if he or she had a 3-1 record. The records were as follows:
Sesenu 4-0
Rozner 4-0
Rachel 4-0
Ellen 3-1 (although Ellen beat the guy who beat her in prelims in quarterfinals)
Vanderslice 3-1
This was Rachel’s second time closing out nationals (last year she closed out finals with Kris Kulkarni). She kept the first place trophy, Ellen took 2nd, and Sesenu/Rozner took the third place trophies.
The coaches for the Lanier LDers were Phil Wiggins(Strake Jesuit), Joseph Clifton(Strake Jesuit), Brian Kwik(Strake Jesuit), Kris Kulkarni(Lamar), Cameron Albin(Lamar), and Muthu Alagappan(Bellaire).
To answer Ryan’s questions,
Rachel Vogel and Ellen Farber will attending Lamar High School next year. Josh Vanderslice will be attending Strake Jesuit. We are still trying to convince Sesenu and Rozner to go to Strake, but it is most likely that Rozner will go to Bellaire and Sesenu will go to Lamar.
Phil Wiggins is a Lanier alumni. He’s done a bunch of cool stuff.
Muthu Alagappan got to the bubble round at Nationals.
Furthermore, Lanier took second in Policy. The debaters were Jacob Uzman and Emilio Longoria. Uzman is going to Bellaire, Emilio is going to Strake.
Posted from: 172.168.154.122
June 29th, 2005 08:27
Josh, noone ever gets recognition for being top speaker unless they did something else in addition. You didn’t. Maybe you should have debated better.
Plus, noone would have cared about first place if Lanier hadn’t done it three years in a row.
Posted from: 172.168.154.122
June 29th, 2005 08:29
Josh, noone ever gets recognition for being top speaker unless they did something else in addition. You didn’t. Maybe you should have debated better.
Plus, noone would have cared about first place if Lanier hadn’t done it three years in a row.
Posted from: 24.46.123.119
June 29th, 2005 08:56
“The coaches for the Lanier LDers were Phil Wiggins(Strake Jesuit), Joseph Clifton(Strake Jesuit), Brian Kwik(Strake Jesuit), Kris Kulkarni(Lamar), Cameron Albin(Lamar), and Muthu Alagappan(Bellaire).”
Every person on that list is *intense*.
Congratulations to all!
Posted from: 69.154.162.186
June 29th, 2005 09:32
congratulations to everyone who won.
i remember hitting some of those people as in the “coaches” when i was back in middle school. I will admit that those guys were very good and are still doing great.
Congratulations to Rachel on winning once again and the whole Lanier Middle School team. Great Job on a 3 peat!
Congratulations to the 2nd place and 4th place teams from Alief– Albright and Olle
Posted from: 24.206.69.220
June 29th, 2005 09:39
Ellen 3-1 (although Ellen beat the guy who beat her in prelims in quarterfinals) ahahahahahaha….that “guy” is me. I find it funny. i am just that guy.
Not to knock any of the people that were listed as LD “coaches” but I was referring to Mr. Henley (I hpe i didn’t screw his name up).
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
June 29th, 2005 19:26
I think the two people who deserve a shout out are two who without their prescence this would not have happened. Number one is Kris Kulkarni. Kris never missed a practice and I have to say is one of the most adament coaches I have ever seen. He always wanted to coach more and cared more about how they did in the tournament and was just in FREAKING OUT about the kids dropping even just one speaker point. Oh and by the way everyone look out for this kid. He was before this nats an LD NATIONAL CHAMPION. He is without doubt going to be a great debater, the Anakin Skywalker of debate if you will, and a much better debater than I’ll ever be. But the most important person would have to be the coach Mr. Henley. Within just 8 years he has changed this small debate club into a three-peat national champion team some say there is no measure of greatness but if there is one he would be at the top. Mr. Henley was the one who taught us all that debate wasn’t just about work and competition and recognition, but that it was about fun. He within just 2 years brings a bunch of wild crazy 7th graders and turns them into a family. Without him I would not be in debate and I just have to say. Thank you.
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
June 29th, 2005 19:29
I think the two people who deserve a shout out are two who without their prescence this would not have happened. Number one is Kris Kulkarni. Kris never missed a practice and I have to say is one of the most adament coaches I have ever seen. He always wanted to coach more and cared more about how they did in the tournament and was just in FREAKING OUT about the kids dropping even just one speaker point. Oh and by the way everyone look out for this kid. He was before this nats an LD NATIONAL CHAMPION. He is without doubt going to be a great debater, the Anakin Skywalker of debate if you will, and a much better debater than I’ll ever be. But the most important person would have to be the coach Mr. Henley. Within just 8 years he has changed this small debate club into a three-peat national champion team some say there is no measure of greatness but if there is one he would be at the top. Mr. Henley was the one who taught us all that debate wasn’t just about work and competition and recognition, but that it was about fun. He within just 2 years brings a bunch of wild crazy 7th graders and turns them into a family. Without him I would not be in debate and I just have to say. Thank you.
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
June 29th, 2005 19:30
I think the two people who deserve a shout out are two who without their prescence this would not have happened. Number one is Kris Kulkarni. Kris never missed a practice and I have to say is one of the most adament coaches I have ever seen. He always wanted to coach more and cared more about how they did in the tournament and was just in FREAKING OUT about the kids dropping even just one speaker point. Oh and by the way everyone look out for this kid. He was before this nats an LD NATIONAL CHAMPION. He is without doubt going to be a great debater, the Anakin Skywalker of debate if you will, and a much better debater than I’ll ever be. But the most important person would have to be the coach Mr. Henley. Within just 8 years he has changed this small debate club into a three-peat national champion team some say there is no measure of greatness but if there is one he would be at the top. Mr. Henley was the one who taught us all that debate wasn’t just about work and competition and recognition, but that it was about fun. He within just 2 years brings a bunch of wild crazy 7th graders and turns them into a family. Without him I would not be in debate and I just have to say. Thank you.
Posted from: 172.167.95.77
June 29th, 2005 19:40
Joshua, your arrogant nature compels me not to give you any recognition whatsoever. Go stroke your first place speaker award.
On that topic, it’s not like you had the highest number of points. Sesenu had perfect speaker points as well (that’s why he was first seed above you). The reason you were top speaker is that you “beat” Ellen, and Ellen beat a number of people with good records.
Although, you did quite well in that round against Ellen. Congratulations on your standard of pragmatism. Furthermore, congratulations on your main argument (”Judge, I have diabetes”). Stop commenting, noone cares about you or Albright. Really.
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
June 29th, 2005 19:40
I think the two people who deserve a shout out are two who without their prescence this would not have happened. Number one is Kris Kulkarni. Kris never missed a practice and I have to say is one of the most adament coaches I have ever seen. He always wanted to coach more and cared more about how they did in the tournament and was just in FREAKING OUT about the kids dropping even just one speaker point. Oh and by the way everyone look out for this kid. He was before this nats an LD NATIONAL CHAMPION. He is without doubt going to be a great debater, the Anakin Skywalker of debate if you will, and a much better debater than I’ll ever be. But the most important person would have to be the coach Mr. Henley. Within just 8 years he has changed this small debate club into a three-peat national champion team some say there is no measure of greatness but if there is one he would be at the top. Mr. Henley was the one who taught us all that debate wasn’t just about work and competition and recognition, but that it was about fun. He within just 2 years brings a bunch of wild crazy 7th graders and turns them into a family. Without him I would not be in debate and I just have to say. Thank you.
Posted from: 64.12.116.203
June 29th, 2005 21:35
sorry about my 3 exact replica memos my computers kinda screwing up.
Posted from: 64.12.116.203
June 29th, 2005 21:38
Kwik you’re such a bastard
Posted from: 24.206.69.220
June 30th, 2005 10:52
“Joshua, your arrogant nature compels me not to give you any recognition whatsoever. Go stroke your first place speaker award.”
Wow…I really did not want to come off that way, as arogant and I appogize to you if I offened you. I was just giving props to the two Alief teams who got sweeptake awards. I also believe that after I said those things I gave props to the Lanier team as well. But W/E, it doesn’t matter.
Thanks for the pragmatism props, and the diabetic arguement was not even planned it just came when we started to clash. I guess I used it to show how I would under stand a reason to or not to have a restricted science.
“Sesenu had perfect speaker points as well”. Is that 10SW? If so I think I face him at U of H and beat him in the first prelim round. Not to brag or be “arrogant”, just to say.
So whatever…it doesn’t matter any more.
Posted from: 24.206.69.220
June 30th, 2005 10:53
“Joshua, your arrogant nature compels me not to give you any recognition whatsoever. Go stroke your first place speaker award.”
Wow…I really did not want to come off that way, as arogant and I appogize to you if I offened you. I was just giving props to the two Alief teams who got sweeptake awards. I also believe that after I said those things I gave props to the Lanier team as well. But W/E, it doesn’t matter.
Thanks for the pragmatism props, and the diabetic arguement was not even planned it just came when we started to clash. I guess I used it to show how I would under stand a reason to or not to have a restricted science.
“Sesenu had perfect speaker points as well”. Is that 10SW? If so I think I face him at U of H and beat him in the first prelim round. Not to brag or be “arrogant”, just to say.
So whatever…it doesn’t matter any more.
Posted from: 172.144.77.44
July 1st, 2005 13:22
“Wow…I really did not want to come off that way, as arogant and I appogize to you if I offened you. I was just giving props to the two Alief teams who got sweeptake awards. I also believe that after I said those things I gave props to the Lanier team as well. But W/E, it doesn’t matter.”
Shut up.
“Thanks for the pragmatism props, and the diabetic arguement was not even planned it just came when we started to clash. I guess I used it to show how I would under stand a reason to or not to have a restricted science.”
I was making fun of you. You don’t know what a standard is. Hell, you don’t even know what an argument is. Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean that you’re right (I think that was proven at Nationals).
Unlike you, Sesenu has improved greatly since U of H (even moreso in the past couple weeks when we began coaching him).
Go away
Posted from: 64.12.116.203
July 1st, 2005 13:36
How many different schools entered LD teams at the San Antonio tournament? How many different schools had policy teams? Were any from outside of Texas? I know there were several middle schools that competed at the East Coast Nationals for middle school in Knoxville, Tennessee, the same dates as San Antonio. It is unfortunate that there is not one unified national champsionship for the middle schools anymore.
Posted from: 64.12.116.203
July 1st, 2005 13:36
How many different schools entered LD teams at the San Antonio tournament? How many different schools had policy teams? Were any from outside of Texas? I know there were several middle schools that competed at the East Coast Nationals for middle school in Knoxville, Tennessee, the same dates as San Antonio. It is unfortunate that there is not one unified national champsionship for the middle schools anymore.
Posted from: 64.12.116.203
July 1st, 2005 13:37
How many different schools entered LD teams at the San Antonio tournament? How many different schools had policy teams? Were any from outside of Texas? I know there were several middle schools that competed at the East Coast Nationals for middle school in Knoxville, Tennessee, the same dates as San Antonio. It is unfortunate that there is not one unified national champsionship for the middle schools anymore.
Posted from: 64.12.116.203
July 1st, 2005 13:43
How many different schools entered LD teams at the San Antonio tournament? How many different schools had policy teams? I know there were several middle schools that competed at the East Coast Nationals for middle school in Knoxville, Tennessee, the same dates as San Antonio. It is unfortunate that there is not one unified national champsionship for the middle schools anymore.
Posted from: 24.206.69.220
July 1st, 2005 14:08
You know what Kwik, you are a real jack ass. By the way, I am not the only one to feel that way about you. One of the kids that you “coach” also feels that way.
Posted from: 24.206.69.220
July 1st, 2005 14:09
You know what Kwik, you are a real jack ass. By the way, I am not the only one to feel that way about you. One of the kids that you “coach” also feels that way.
Posted from: 67.10.67.248
July 1st, 2005 14:27
Yes, it is quite unfortunate that there is no single national championship held for middle schools. I was invited to go to this one in San Antonio but couldn’t attend due to certain circumstances. My sister told me it was nothing to worry about because Middle School nationals do not count for much….
Kwik- I think all Joshua was trying to do was give recogniztion to his own school because many of these Alief schools do not get attention despite the effort they put forth. Nothing to get all prissy or whatnot about…
Congrats to Lanier for a job indeed well done- as well as the other winners and schools.
Posted from: 24.206.69.220
July 1st, 2005 16:42
Well said…
Posted from: 172.144.77.44
July 1st, 2005 18:57
“You know what Kwik, you are a real jack ass. By the way, I am not the only one to feel that way about you. One of the kids that you “coach” also feels that way.”
Josh, maybe you don’t understand something. Mr. Henley doesn’t work with the debaters directly. It is proper to call someone who does work directly with the debaters a coach, so drop the quotation marks.
I wouldn’t have been so mean to you if you hadn’t been so arrogant, both here and elsewhere. One Lanier debater heard you on the phone saying “yeah, I’m the best debater here so I’m probably going to win”. Another example is how you were rude to Jon Cruz on lddebate.org. It’s stuff like that that pisses me off.
Furthermore, you are the last person to talk in regards to popularity among Lanier debaters. Everyone on the team was anxious to beat that obnoxious kid from Albright. But even if you’re right, two people don’t like me. Damn.
If you’re talking about Cameron Albin, then you’re wrong anyways.
“Kwik- I think all Joshua was trying to do was give recogniztion to his own school because many of these Alief schools do not get attention despite the effort they put forth. Nothing to get all prissy or whatnot about…”
I didn’t react to Josh’s first comment. However, I did react when he started acting rude about mine.
Posted from: 24.206.69.220
July 2nd, 2005 09:59
Dude when did I start to act rudely to your comment, when I said that I am that “guy” and only “that guy”. I wasn’t being rude I was just saying.
As far as the phone thing goes..I think that is a misunderstanding. It has to be because I know that Rachel is a way better debater than I can probably ever hope to be, and I know that Ellen is also a great debater, even before she beat me out of quarters. I think what I said is that I am the best debater on my team, because Ainne didn’t come, and plus I don’t even remember talking to any one because I left my phone in my hotel room every day.
OK…I must admit that I was very rude to Mr. Cruz in that post. I think he has forgiven me and every one else has forgotten it.
I don’t think that it would be acceptable to convey info regarding to what another person has said with out their consent.
Any who…I once again apologize. The thing you said about me not being to popular with your team. I really couldn’t tell no one really seemed to be indignant with me…so yea. eh. Once again it doesn’t matter.
Posted from: 205.188.117.11
July 16th, 2005 14:39
I would like to tell Josh well done at Nationals! You have always conducted yourself with class, which in my opinion is more important than winning. Congrats to Albright and Ollie for their excellent ranking in San Antonio. I will not apologise for the comments of Kwik, I can only say that he is not a Lanier Debater and he can’t define class. I have nothing but praise for the hard work of the LD student coaches and debaters who prepared with great intensity. Josh, Best Wishes in high school competition. Mr. H. Sidney Lanier Debate
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
July 18th, 2005 14:19
Joshua Tang is a debater will class! It was an honor for Lanier LDers to compete with him the past two years and at nationals in San Antonio. I look forward to hearing of Josh’s continuing success on the HS circuit. Jim Henley Sidney Lanier Coach PS Congrats to Albright and and Ollie on a great tournament!
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
July 18th, 2005 14:20
Joshua Tang is a debater will class! It was an honor for Lanier LDers to compete with him the past two years and at nationals in San Antonio. I look forward to hearing of Josh’s continuing success on the HS circuit. Jim Henley Sidney Lanier Coach PS Congrats to Albright and and Ollie on a great tournament!
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
July 18th, 2005 14:21
Joshua Tang is a debater will class! It was an honor for Lanier LDers to compete with him the past two years and at nationals in San Antonio. I look forward to hearing of Josh’s continuing success on the HS circuit. Jim Henley Sidney Lanier Coach PS Congrats to Albright and and Ollie on a great tournament!
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
July 18th, 2005 14:47
Joshua Tang is a debater will class! It was an honor for Lanier LDers to compete with him the past two years and at nationals in San Antonio. I look forward to hearing of Josh’s continuing success on the HS circuit. Jim Henley Sidney Lanier Coach PS Congrats to Albright and and Ollie on a great tournament!
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
July 18th, 2005 14:48
Joshua Tang is a debater will class! It was an honor for Lanier LDers to compete with him the past two years and at nationals in San Antonio. I look forward to hearing of Josh’s continuing success on the HS circuit. Jim Henley Sidney Lanier Coach PS Congrats to Albright and and Ollie on a great tournament!
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
July 18th, 2005 14:48
Joshua Tang is a debater will class! It was an honor for Lanier LDers to compete with him the past two years and at nationals in San Antonio. I look forward to hearing of Josh’s continuing success on the HS circuit. Jim Henley Sidney Lanier Coach PS Congrats to Albright and and Ollie on a great tournament!
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
July 18th, 2005 14:48
Joshua Tang is a debater will class! It was an honor for Lanier LDers to compete with him the past two years and at nationals in San Antonio. I look forward to hearing of Josh’s continuing success on the HS circuit. Jim Henley Sidney Lanier Coach PS Congrats to Albright and and Ollie on a great tournament!
Posted from: 152.163.100.203
July 18th, 2005 14:48
Joshua Tang is a debater will class! It was an honor for Lanier LDers to compete with him the past two years and at nationals in San Antonio. I look forward to hearing of Josh’s continuing success on the HS circuit. Jim Henley Sidney Lanier Coach PS Congrats to Albright and and Ollie on a great tournament!
Posted from: 24.206.68.47
July 20th, 2005 15:12
Thank You Mr. Henley and I apologize for the vulgar language that I used earlier in this thread, and thank you for the Congratulations
Posted from: 24.206.68.47
July 20th, 2005 15:14
Thank You Mr. Henley and I apologize for the vulgar language that I used earlier in this thread.
Posted from: 67.10.34.33
September 27th, 2005 13:50
To answer Ryan, Lanier has debaters go off into a number of schools. The school is technically in the Lamar feeder pattern in HISD, but many Lanier debate students also end up going to Strake Jesuit and Bellaire. And a few other students here and there.
The most distinguished Lanier alumni has nothing to do with LD. He won 4th place, I believe, at N.F.L. Nationals for…I think dramatic. I am blanking on the name, which really bothers me… But I am babbling. Larrisha Vaughn has a ton of N.F.L. points and is also a Lanier alum.
Congratulations Lanier. It was a pleasure to help to the extent I was able to as an alumni member myself, even though it was with public forum. We here at Lamar are already beginning to see the benefits of having Both Rachel Vogel and Ellen Farber as additions to our growing LD squad on this debate team.
~Michael Hurta,
Lamar Debate
Posted from: 64.12.116.197
May 30th, 2006 09:23
First of all, I think we all know who Michael is referring to as “the most distinguished Lanier Alumni” and I don’t think Nationals in Dramatic actually cuts it. After all, we all know that debate is much harder and requires far more work and intelligence. I would contend that the most distinguished Lanier Alumni is Marc Barghava who goes to Harvard and had mad success in LD at UIL State I believe. There are others however that are before my time. Also, if you want to complemnt me, NFL points isn’t the way to do it. Discuss my show at state and the Hockaday rr. ANYWAY, i DON’T MATTER ANYMORE,I’m graduating. But seriously, look out for Kris, Cameron, Ellen, Sabrina, Rachael, and Ben. And remember, debate is where its at…interp requires little to no brain. Doing it for so long made my brain numb.
Larrisha Vaughn
UT Austin 2010