The University of Michigan Debate program has claimed victory in the 38th annual American Debate Association National Championship.

This three-day competition, taking place from March 8-10 in Houston, showcased nearly 200 participants from 25 institutions.

During the final round of the tournament, students from U-M’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts—Eleanor Barrett, a freshman hailing from Austin, Texas, and Jiyoon Park, a junior from Topeka, Kansas—defeated Northwestern University by a unanimous 3-0 verdict. Prior to the final, they also managed to overcome teams from Emory University, the University of Kentucky, and Liberty University on their path to victory.

Additionally, two other teams from U-M, Avinash Shah and Conner Shih, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, while Rebecca Davidov and Ben Saudek reached the round of 32.

Established in 1903, the U-M Debate Team is recognized as one of the oldest debate programs in the United States. They will wrap up the 2024-25 season at the 79th annual National Debate Tournament in Spokane, Washington, from April 3-7, where they will also enter as the defending champions.