Students debate
for Democrats, win

By Rebekah Byrd
Special to the Collegian

At Ball State on Oct. 11-12, two parliamentary debaters argued an excruciating nine rounds resulting in their first win.

Senior James Sherk and junior Michael Francisco brought home a trophy for their argument the Democratic party should control the senate. After debating together for over a year and never winning a tournament, their hard work paid off as they came out on top.

“We were really pleased with how we placed,” said Sherk, a fourth-year debater who is on a debate scholarship.

Beginning the tournament Sherk and Francisco won four rounds, which gave them the fourth seed. In the quarterfinal round they won three-to-nothing, and for both the semifinals and finals they won on a two-to-one decision.

It is ironic that they did so well because neither of them truly believed what they were arguing for. It was widely known to the judges that neither Sherk nor Francisco are Democrats.

One judge even wrote on his ballot: “As an individual who voted for Harry Brown, the Liberate, in the last election it taints me to vote for James and Michael, but I must.”

“I would have preferred to argue something we agreed with in the final round but there is virtue in knowing the arguments of our opponents well enough that you can represent them,” Francisco said.

This weekend Hillsdale will be hosting a debate on campus. The team is excited and hope to repeat the success of Sherk and Francisco.