Both our Quiz Bowl team and our Debate Team had strong showings this past week. 

The MPA Quiz Bowl team coached by two MPA alums from the class of 1987, Wade Peterson and Dave Godfrey, finished in the top eight teams out of 35 at the Gopher Invitational Tournament at the University of Minnesota on Saturday, December 1st.  The team members were Logan Sand, Kevin Barry, Mark Holmquist, Sam Schleipman, and Carl Runge.  Their performance qualifies our team to go to nationals in May in Chicago. 

Fourteen MPA debaters competed in the Classic Debate Championships this past weekend at South St. Paul.  In the novice division, Sam Anklesaria and Keith Wood advanced to the octafinal round, which is the top 16 out of 52 teams.  In the junior varsity division, Eric Baudry and Katherine Andrews advanced to the semifinals in a field of 35 teams. 

The varsity division also serves as the Minnesota State High School League’s Classic Debate State Festival.  Ross Kigner and Sam Bolstad advanced to the quarterfinals, making them the first MPA team to “break” to the quarterfinals (or beyond) in all three divisions in their careers.  Seniors Nancy Dietman and Claire Daley narrowly missed defending last year’s MPA state title when they were defeated in the final round on a 2-1 decision by a team from Eastview High School.  

Congratulations to all of these students!