MIT Debate Takes First At Oxford, Cambridge IVs
CORRECTION TO THIS ARTICLE: The Friday, Nov. 21 sports headline “MIT Debate Takes First At Oxford, Cambridge IVs” was incorrect. The Debate Team took first at the Cambridge IV but placed sixth at the Oxford IV.
The MIT Debate Team continued this season’s success over the past two weekends with strong performances at both Cambridge and Oxford Universities in England. This is the first year that the MIT Debate Team has competed at these two prestigious international tournaments.
The Cleary Gottlieb Cambridge IV was held November 15-16 by the Cambridge Union Society. Late Saturday night, the team of Bill Magnuson ’09 and Adam Goldstein ’10 emerged champions by defeating two teams from Oxford and a third from Trinity College Dublin in the finals. In addition, Goldstein received the seventh individual speaker award, Magnuson received the 10th.
Debate motions at Cambridge consisted of an array of topics ranging from the legalization of recreational drugs to auctioning veto power on the U.N. Security Council. Preceding the Cambridge IV, the Oxford Union Intervarsity tournament took place on November 7-8. American teams in attendance included familiar competition from Yale and Princeton Universities.
The two teams from MIT at the Oxford IV were Goldstein and Magnuson as well as the team of Sharmin Karim ’10 and Peter McKee ’11. Goldstein and Magnuson finished as the sixth place team. Goldstein also placed 10th individual speaker.
Unlike American tournaments, the Cambridge and Oxford IV’s are held in the British Parliamentary format. This is the same format which will be used in the World Universities Debating Championships in Cork, Ireland later this year where Goldstein and Magnuson will once again be representing MIT.