Barton, Meacham Win Debate National Title

For the first time in 21 years and for only the second time in school history, the MBA Debate Team won the most prestigious national championship high school policy debate. The duo of Aden Barton ('20) and Sam Meacham ('21) completed the most successful season in high school debate history with the historic tournament win this past weekend.

With all spring in-person activities being canceled, the tournament format moved online. While it was a significant change, it could be argued that the competition and level of preparedness of each team actually increased. Over the last month, 20 debaters and coaches tirelessly went to work for MBA, preparing night and day researching arguments, planning every detail, and finding the best technology solutions to be prepared. Aden and Sam were up to the challenge, finishing the preliminary debates over the first two days 6-0 and being slated as the top seed. They then won four consecutive elimination debates, finally defeating Whitney Young (IL) in the final round late Monday night.

Aden was named the best overall speaker in the country and was awarded the Julia Burke Award for a top competitor who exhibited excellent citizenship in the community. Sam Meacham was named the tournament's 4th best speaker overall, as a junior. Aden and Sam finish the season with a record of 102 wins and only 5 losses. They won their last 45 consecutive debates starting in November. They won first place at 7 of the 11 tournaments they participated in, second at three more, and third place at the other. Sam and Aden were awarded the Baker award by the National Debate Coaches Association a few weeks ago, in recognition of the best overall debate team in the country (the third time in four years that MBA has won the award).

The team would like to thank Mr. Gioia and the administration for its support of the program, the coaching staff, and the entire debate team for its hard work in preparing for this past weekend.
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Montgomery Bell Academy

4001 Harding Road
Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 298-5514