Tournaments
Austin W. at Santa Clara University.
Team members, check the shared Google Calendar to see which tournaments we will be participating in.
Tournaments are the heart of Prospect Speech and Debate. All the work in rehearsals leads up to the next speech or debate tournament, where competitors from schools across the Bay Area (and even across the country) convene to debate controversial topics and present passionate speeches. There are three types of tournaments: league tournaments, invitationals, and travel tournaments.
League tournaments are the staple of S&D: league debate tournaments pit us against some of the most competitive teams in the nation, while speech tournaments send our speakers against some of the most accomplished speakers this side of the Atlantic. (Speech tournaments are usually separate from debate tournaments.) Our school team is a member of the Coast Forensic League, which includes schools such as six-year state champions Bellarmine College Prep, state runner-ups and largest national team Leland High, the Harker Academy, Presentation High, Westmont High, Lynbrook High, Monte Vista High, and Evergreen Valley High. We compete against the best because we are the best!
League tournaments last one weekend day, usually from early in the morning until the late evening. Speakers and debaters may participate in four or five intense rounds as Varsity or Junior Varsity (there are also some Novice tournaments scattered throughout the year). The separation of divisions allows for students to compete against peers of mostly equal experience. Undefeated debate teams and the top speakers receive awards at the end of the day.
Prospect also participates in various invitational tournaments, including the Santa Clara University Invitational (run by our debate coach) and the Stanford Invitational. While invitationals usually have higher participation fees, they are highly competitive events that provide excellent experience for speakers and debaters. Usually, speakers and debaters will be participating in the same tournament at an invitational, although an exception is the Prospect Invitational Debate Tournament. Invitational tournaments are usually three days long (with the third day being only for speakers and debaters who qualify).
Tournaments are the heart of Prospect Speech and Debate. All the work in rehearsals leads up to the next speech or debate tournament, where competitors from schools across the Bay Area (and even across the country) convene to debate controversial topics and present passionate speeches. There are three types of tournaments: league tournaments, invitationals, and travel tournaments.
League tournaments are the staple of S&D: league debate tournaments pit us against some of the most competitive teams in the nation, while speech tournaments send our speakers against some of the most accomplished speakers this side of the Atlantic. (Speech tournaments are usually separate from debate tournaments.) Our school team is a member of the Coast Forensic League, which includes schools such as six-year state champions Bellarmine College Prep, state runner-ups and largest national team Leland High, the Harker Academy, Presentation High, Westmont High, Lynbrook High, Monte Vista High, and Evergreen Valley High. We compete against the best because we are the best!
League tournaments last one weekend day, usually from early in the morning until the late evening. Speakers and debaters may participate in four or five intense rounds as Varsity or Junior Varsity (there are also some Novice tournaments scattered throughout the year). The separation of divisions allows for students to compete against peers of mostly equal experience. Undefeated debate teams and the top speakers receive awards at the end of the day.
Prospect also participates in various invitational tournaments, including the Santa Clara University Invitational (run by our debate coach) and the Stanford Invitational. While invitationals usually have higher participation fees, they are highly competitive events that provide excellent experience for speakers and debaters. Usually, speakers and debaters will be participating in the same tournament at an invitational, although an exception is the Prospect Invitational Debate Tournament. Invitational tournaments are usually three days long (with the third day being only for speakers and debaters who qualify).