The Niles West Debate Team extended their winning streak with two more championships this past weekend. The Debate Team won a tournament on the Urban Debate League Circuit at Lane Tech High School in Chicago and a tournament on the Regional Circuit at Iowa City West High School in Iowa City, Iowa. The Niles West team has now won three championships and earned a second place finish over the past two months of competition. According to Head Debate Coach Eric Oddo, “This is a rare feat for any debate program, let alone a revitalized one. I’m so proud of the kids and thrilled with the results.”

Six Niles West teams competed in the Novice Division at Lane Tech. Sarika Malani and Emma Lazar were undefeated in the preliminary rounds and were the #1 seed entering the elimination bracket. They defeated the #2 seed Northside College Prep for the championship. Malani was voted the sixth best speaker out of 64 debaters. The other Niles West teams: Rimsha Baig and Justin Kang, Lia Isono, Jessie Amgalanjargal and Connie Dang, Nate Lee and Kris Trivedi and Sebastian Chirayil and Amanda Muir.

Four Niles West teams competed in the Novice Division at Iowa City West. Nashiha Alam and Art Siriwatt were the #2 seed entering the elimination bracket. They defeated the #4 seed from Iowa City for the championship. Theo Noparstak and Vinay Patel, also from Niles West, were the #1 seed entering the elimination bracket. They lost to the #4 seed in the semifinals. Patel was voted the sixth best speaker out of 30 debaters. The other Niles West teams were: Breana Brill and Alyssa Guzman and Jonass Placitis and Jerry Varghese.

The Niles West Debate Team is coached by Eric Oddo. Assistant Coaches are Matt Fahrenbacher and Kevin Bancroft.