The Georgia State Tournament

History of the Georgia State Debate Tournament

Until the 2010-2011 season, the Georgia State Debate Tournament was run by the Georgia High School Association. The GHSA State Tournament was a four-person event with each school pairing a team of affirmative debaters with a team of negative debaters.

From 1907-1908 to 1999-2000, the state debate tournament was held as part of the GHSA's Literary competition. It was one of many events including other forensic activities (extemporaneous speaking, oral interpretation, etc.), acting, music, spelling, and (at various times) home economics, typing, shorthand, etc. There were separate divisions for each GHSA school level; Woodward was generally a member of Class AAA.

From 2000-2001 to 2009-2010, the state debate tournament was held as a separate GHSA event. From 2001-2002 until 2003-2004, Woodward was a member of Class AAAA. Beginning in 2004-2005, the class AAAAA and class AAAA divisions were combined into a single division.

Since the 2010-2011 season, the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association has taken over the administration of the tournament. Two tournaments are now held: a First and Second Year State Tournament and a Varsity State Tournament. All divisions are now administered like typical invitational tournaments: two-person events with preliminary rounds and bracketed elimination rounds. There are no longer distinctions between schools in different divisions. 

Notable Accomplishments

• By winning the 2010-2011 State Championship, Woodward became the first ever "unified" GFCA Georgia State Debate Champion.

• In 2015-2016, Woodward became the first school ever to win the First Year, Second Year, and Varsity State Championships in a single season. 

• In 2016-2017, Woodward became the first school ever to "close out" the state tournament; Woodward repeated that feat in 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2020-2021.

• From 2015-2016 to 2018-2019, Woodward won back-to-back-to-back-to-back Varsity State Championships. 

• In 2023-2024, Woodward closed out the semifinals of the First Year State Tournament. 

• Since the creation of the unified tournament in 2010-2011, Woodward has won eight of the sixteen Varsity State Championships. 

• In total, Woodward has won 33 state championships including eight GFCA Varsity State Championships, ten GHSA Varsity State Championships, one Richard B. Russell All State Championship, seven GFCA Second Year State Championships, and seven GFCA First Year State Championships.

Year By Year Varsity State Championship Results — GFCA Era

GFCA Varsity State — Finalists, Semifinalists, & Quarterfinalists, 2024-2025
Thad Cross & John Masterson (Finalists)
Rishi Jain & Lane Tharp (Semifinalists)
Aaly Nanji & Lasya Paladugu (Quarterfinalists)
3rd Speaker: John Masterson
4th Speaker: Thad Cross
6th Speaker: Rishi Jain
8th Speaker: Lasya Paladugu
10th Speaker: Lane Tharp

GFCA Varsity State — Finalists, Semifinalists, & Quarterfinalists, 2023-2024
Thad Cross & John Masterson (Finalists)
Aaly Nanji & Lasya Paladugu (Semifinalists)
Anna Jane Harben & Alizah Mudaliar (Quarterfinalists)
3rd Speaker: John Masterson
4th Speaker: Lasya Paladugu
9th Speaker: Aaly Nanji
10th Speaker: Thad Cross

GFCA Varsity State — Semifinalists & Quarterfinalists (x2), 2022-2023
Carson Bates & Callie Mitchell (Semifinalists)
Rishabh Jain & Haarika Palacharla (Quarterfinalists)
Zaria Jarman & Jay Yoon (Quarterfinalists)
7th Speaker: Carson Bates
8th Speaker: Callie Mitchell
9th Speaker: Rishabh Jain
10th Speaker: Haarika Palacharla

GFCA Varsity State — Champions, 2021-2022
Jack Hightower & Elizabeth Li (Champions)
4th Speaker: Jack Hightower
6th Speaker: Elizabeth Li
10th Speaker: Ria Thakur

GFCA Varsity State — Champions (Close-Out), 2020-2021
Ashna Ghanate & Sachi Reddy (Champions)
Jack Hightower & Ria Thakur (Champions)
Top Speaker: Sachi Reddy
3rd Speaker: Jack Hightower
4th Speaker: Ashna Ghanate
7th Speaker: Ria Thakur

GFCA Varsity State — Finalists, Semifinalists, & Quarterfinalists (x2), 2019-2020
Nishita Ghanate & Sachi Reddy (Finalists)
Akbar Chranya & Sam Wombough (Semifinalists)
Ashna Ghanate & Elizabeth Li (Quarterfinalists)
Jack Hightower & Ria Thakur (Quarterfinalists)
7th Speaker: Sachi Reddy
9th Speaker: Nishita Ghanate
10th Speaker: Sam Wombough

GFCA Varsity State — Champions, 2018-2019
Mona Mahadevan & Malachi Robinson (Champions)
Top Speaker: Mona Mahadevan
2nd Speaker: Malachi Robinson
4th Speaker: Nishita Ghanate

GFCA Varsity State — Champions (Close-Out), 2017-2018
Mona Mahadevan & Malachi Robinson (Champions)
Alanna Pearson & Arjun Srinivasan (Champions)
Top Speaker: Arjun Srinivasan
2nd Speaker: Malachi Robinson
4th Speaker: Alanna Pearson
6th Speaker: Mona Mahadevan

GFCA Varsity State — Champions (Close-Out) & Quarterfinalists, 2016-2017
Max Abramson & Tripp Haskins (Champions)
Alanna Pearson & Arjun Srinivasan (Champions)
Mona Mahadevan & Malachi Robinson (Quarterfinalists)
Top Speaker: Tripp Haskins
2nd Speaker: Max Abramson
3rd Speaker: Arjun Srinivasan
5th Speaker: Malachi Robinson
9th Speaker: Mona Mahadevan
10th Speaker: Alanna Pearson

GFCA Varsity State — Champions, Semifinalists, & Quarterfinalists, 2015-2016
Ali Abdullah & Arjun Srinivasan (Champions)
Max Abramson & Tripp Haskins (Semifinalists)
Liliana Burgess & Myles Powell (Quarterfinalists)
3rd Speaker: Liliana Burgess
4th Speaker: Max Abramson
5th Speaker: Tripp Haskins
6th Speaker: Arjun Srinivasan
8th Speaker: Ali Abdullah

GFCA Varsity State — Octafinalists, 2014-2015
Tripp Haskins & Arjun Srinivasan (Octafinalists)

GFCA Varsity State — Semifinalists, 2012-2013
Alex Duner & Karthik Srinivasan (Semifinalists)
3rd Speaker: Karthik Srinivasan
13th Speaker: Sahil Patel

GFCA Varsity State — Champions & Octafinalists, 2011-2012
Rahim Shakoor & Jason Sigalos (Champions)
Nasir Nanjee & Karthik Srinivasan (Octafinalists)
Top Speaker: Jason Sigalos
5th Speaker: Rahim Shakoor

GFCA Varsity State — Champions, 2010-2011
Rahim Shakoor & Jason Sigalos (Champions)
Top Speaker: Jason Sigalos
7th Speaker: Rahim Shakoor

Year By Year Varsity State Championship Results — GHSA Era

The following list includes every Woodward (and GMA) team that achieved recognition at a GHSA State Debate Tournament. The GHSA generally recognized the top two or four teams in each class. For some years, they also included a list of "other schools scoring points in debate." That list is included separately at the bottom of this section; it does not include student names because they were not listed in the GHSA results booklets.

During the GHSA era, there was also a separate all-division state tournament called the Richard B. Russell All State Championship. It was held every year from 1966 to 2006 and utilized the more typical two-person, switch-sides format. Only the top teams in the state qualified to attend this prestigious tournament. Woodward won the All State championship in 1996-1997. 

GHSA Class AAAAA/AAAA — 3rd Place, 2007-2008
Aff: Aman Sharma & Pooja Durv
Neg: Matthew Pesce & Evan Matthews
(* 1st Place in AAAA)

GHSA Class AAAAA/AAAA — 4th Place, 2004-2005
Aff: Lina Skandalakis & Bobo Bose-Kolanu
Neg: Munir Karimi & Bobby Rosenbleeth

GHSA Class AAAA — 1st Place, 2003-2004
Aff: Seth Gannon & Mona Mehta
Neg: Aliya Bhatia & Naomi Dale
Top Negative Speaker: Naomi Dale

GHSA Class AAAA — 1st Place, 2002-2003
Aff: Niji Jain & Krishna Panchapakesan
Neg: Seth Gannon & Elise Borochoff
Top Affirmative Speaker: Krishna Panchapakesan
Top Negative Speaker: Elise Borochoff

GHSA Class AAAA — 1st Place, 2001-2002
Aff: Jeff Fisher & Craig Kunkes
Neg: Lauren Tanis & Andrew Shah
Top Affirmative Speaker: Jeff Fisher

GHSA Class AAAA — 1st Place, 2000-2001
Aff: Naomi Dale & Feris Akbik
Neg: Genna Cohen & Lauren Tanis

GHSA Class AAA — 1st Place, 1999-2000
Aff: Avery Dale & Peter Miller
Neg: T.J. Hadley & Josh Sear
Top Affirmative Speaker: Peter Miller

GHSA Class AAA — 3rd Place, 1998-1999
Aff: Josh Sear & T.J. Hadley
Neg: Peter Miller & Avery Dale

GHSA Class AAA — 1st Place, 1997-1998
Aff: Sriohar Dronavalli & Eric Zampol
Neg: Deepak Gupta & Jacob Brown
Top Affirmative Speaker: Eric Zampol
Top Negative Speaker: Jacob Brown

Richard B. Russell All State — 1st Place, 1996-1997
Cyclone Covey & Todd Fine

GHSA Class AAA — 1st Place, 1996-1997
Aff: Jacob Brown & Eric Zampol
Neg: Cyclone Covey & Todd Fine
Top Affirmative Speaker: Eric Zampol
Top Negative Speaker: Cyclone Covey

GHSA Class AAA — 1st Place, 1992-1993
Aff: Jody Dunville & Goudami Mikkilineni
Neg: Marcello Ballve & Robbie Ashe
Top Affirmative Speaker: Goudami Mikkilineni

GHSA Class AAA — 3rd Place, 1988-1989
Aff: Naveen Parti & Jeff Davis
Neg: Shashi Bellam & John Ellis Goddard

GHSA Class AAA — 2nd Place, 1982-1983
Aff: Matt McGuire & Kevin Hudson
Neg: Eddie Thomas & Carl Erickson

GHSA Class AAA — 1st Place, 1967-1968
Aff: Thomas William Likens & George Durwood Lawrence, Jr.
Neg: Fred Grady Hodgson III & Francis Richardson Clark

GHSA Class AAA — 2nd Place, 1966-1967
Aff: James Lane Paulk & Stephen Claude Betts
Neg: Francis Richardson Clark & Fred Grady Hodgson III

GHSA Class AAA — 1st Place, 1963-1964 (Georgia Military Academy)
Aff: Matt Carson & Hill Hammock
Neg: Steve Harbour & Tom Steele

GHSA "Other Schools Scoring Points In Debate"
1987-1988 — Class AAA — 6 Points
1986-1987 — Class AAA — 3 Points
1985-1986 — Class AAA — 6 Points
1984-1985 — Class AAA — 6 Points
1983-1984 — Class AAA — 6 Points
1981-1982 — Class AAA — 6 Points
1980-1981 — Class AAA — 6 Points
1972-1973 — Class AA — 6 Points
1971-1972 — Class AA — 3 Points
1970-1971 — Class AA — 3 Points
1965-1966 — Class AAA — 5 Points (Georgia Military Academy)
1964-1965 — Class AAA — 2 Points (Georgia Military Academy)

Year By Year GFCA 2nd Year State Championship Results

GFCA 2nd Year State — Champions (Close-Out), 2025-2026
Aarush Hemachandran & Jason Huang (Champions)
Ishan Sampat & Tim Wang (Champions)
2nd Speaker: Ziva Effron
3rd Speaker: Noureen Chranya
5th Speaker: Tim Wang
6th Speaker: Aarush Hemachandran
8th Speaker: Ishan Sampat
9th Speaker: Jason Huang

GFCA 2nd Year State — Champions (Close-Out) & Quarterfinalists, 2024-2025
Rishi Jain & Evie Semaan (Champions)
Sabina Cross & Hannah Harrison (Champions)
Maisie Rainwater & George Sloan (Quarterfinalists)
Top Speaker: Rishi Jain
3rd Speaker: Evie Semaan
6th Speaker: Sabina Cross
7th Speaker: Maisie Rainwater
10th Speaker: Aubrey Dobranski

GFCA 2nd Year State — Champions & Quarterfinalists, 2023-2024
Aaly Nanji & Lane Tharp (Champions)
Avy Agrawal & William Rieck (Quarterfinalists)

GFCA 2nd Year State — Quarterfinalists, 2022-2023
John Masterson & Lasya Paladugu (Quarterfinalists)
4th Speaker: Lasya Paladugu

GFCA 2nd Year State — Finalists & Semifinalists, 2021-2022
Alizah Mudaliar & Anjana Murthy (Finalists)
Rishabh Jain & Andrew Winsberg (Semifinalists)
Top Speaker: Anjana Murthy
3rd Speaker: Alizah Mudaliar
6th Speaker: Andrew Winsberg
7th Speaker: Jacob Lemene
8th Speaker: Noah Song
10th Speaker: Rishabh Jain

GFCA 2nd Year State — Semifinalists (x2), 2020-2021
Francesca Henderson & Jay Yoon (Semifinalists)
Zaria Jarman & Haarika Palacharla (Semifinalists)
8th Speaker: Francesca Henderson

GFCA 2nd Year State — Champions & Semifinalists, 2019-2020
Jack Hightower & Elizabeth Li (Champions)
Bria Slater & Ria Thakur (Semifinalists)
Top Speaker: Ria Thakur
4th Speaker: Bria Slater
5th Speaker: Jack Hightower
9th Speaker: Elizabeth Li

GFCA 2nd Year State — Semifinalists, 2018-2019
Praval Kandimalla & Sachi Reddy (Semifinalists)
5th Speaker: Sachi Reddy
8th Speaker: Sonali Dade
9th Speaker: Praval Kandimalla
10th Speaker: Lorielle Georgetown

GFCA 2nd Year State — Semifinalists (x2) & Quarterfinalists, 2017-2018
Callum Guo & Matthew O'Stricker (Semifinalists)
Nishita Ghanate & Samuel Wombough (Semifinalists)
Armaan Ajani & Saket Surapaneni (Quarterfinalists)
4th Speaker: Callum Guo
5th Speaker: Nishita Ghanate
9th Speaker: Samuel Wombough
11th Speaker: Saket Surapaneni
12th Speaker: Armaan Ajani
13th Speaker: Matthew O'Stricker

GFCA 2nd Year State — Champions, 2016-2017
Mona Mahadevan & Malachi Robinson (Champions)
Note: break-out division at GFCA Varsity State.

GFCA 2nd Year State — Champions, 2015-2016
Katherine Herrell & Alanna Pearson (Champions)
3rd Speaker: Katherine Herrell
4th Speaker: Alanna Pearson

GFCA 2nd Year State — Champions (Close-Out) & Quarterfinalists, 2014-2015
Max Abramson & Crawford Kennedy (Co-Champions)
Ali Abdullah & Aly Shakoor (Co-Champions)
Tripp Haskins & Arjun Srinivasan (Quarterfinalists)
3rd Speaker: Max Abramson
4th Speaker: Ali Abdullah
8th Speaker: Aly Shakoor
9th Speaker: Arjun Srinivasan
10th Speaker: Crawford Kennedy
12th Speaker: Tripp Haskins

GFCA 2nd Year State — Semifinalists & Octafinalists, 2013-2014
Liliana Burgess & Roshni Kailar (Semifinalists)
Nikhil Mardhekar & Utkarsh Pandey (Octafinalists)
3rd Speaker: Myles Powell
5th Speaker: Liliana Burgess
9th Speaker: Roshni Kailar

GFCA 2nd Year State — Quarterfinalists, 2010-2011
Alex Duner & Karthik Srinivasan (Quarterfinalists)
8th Speaker: Karthik Srinivasan

Year By Year GFCA 1st Year State Championship Results

GFCA 1st Year State — Champions, Semifinalists, & Quarterfinalists, 2025-2026
Dhanush Paladugu & Joy Xuan (Champions)
Navya Thotakura & Nethra Thotakura (Semifinalists) (Close-Out)
Liam Davis & Ram Fisher (Quarterfinalists)
3rd Speaker — Joy Xuan
5th Speaker — Dhanush Paladugu
6th Speaker — Nethra Thotakura
10th Speaker — Navya Thotakura

GFCA 1st Year State — Champions & Quarterfinalists, 2024-2025
Aarush Hemachandran & Tim Wang (Champions)
Ziva Effron & Ishan Sampat (Quarterfinalists)
4th Speaker: Aarush Hemachandran
5th Speaker: Tim Wang
8th Speaker: Ishan Sampat
9th Speaker: Ziva Effron

GFCA 1st Year State — Champions (Semifinals Close-Out) & Octafinalists, 2023-2024
Gianluca Seta & George Sloan (Champions)
Sabina Cross & Maisie Rainwater (Champions)
Rishi Jain & Evie Semaan (Champions)
Audrey Dobranski & Hannah Harrison (Champions)
Bhargav Kantamneni & Harrison Waters (Octafinalists)
Top Speaker: George Sloan
2nd Speaker: Sabina Cross
3rd Speaker: Gianluca Seta
4th Speaker: Hannah Harrison
5th Speaker: Maisie Rainwater
7th Speaker: Audrey Dobranski
9th Speaker: Evie Semaan
11th Speaker: Rishi Jain

GFCA 1st Year State — Quarterfinalists (x2), 2022-2023
Jack Emslie & William Rieck (Quarterfinalists)
Avy Agrawal & Lane Tharp (Quarterfinalists)
11th Speaker: Lane Tharp
12th Speaker: Aaly Nanji
15th Speaker: Jack Emslie

GFCA 1st Year State — Finalists, Quarterfinalists, 2021-2022
Thad Cross & Lasya Paladugu (Finalists)
Kayce Brown & Autumn Payton (Quarterfinalists)
Top Speaker: Lasya Paladugu
2nd Speaker: Kayce Brown
14th Speaker: Autumn Payton

GFCA 1st Year State — Champions, Semifinalists, Quarterfinalists (x2), 2020-2021
Alizah Mudaliar & Anjana Murthy (Champions)
Rishabh Jain & Andrew Winsberg (Semifinalists)
Jacob Lemene & Chandler Warden (Quarterfinalists)
Aneri Patel & Hunter Richmond (Quarterfinalists)
Top Speaker: Anjana Murthy
2nd Speaker: Alizah Mudaliar
4th Speaker: Aneri Patel
7th Speaker: Rishabh Jain

GFCA 1st Year State — Quarterfinalists (x3), 2019-2020
Carson Bates & Jay Yoon (Quarterfinalists)
Morgan Black & Callie Mitchell (Quarterfinalists)
Francesca Henderson & Haarika Palacharla (Quarterfinalists)
7th Speaker: Morgan Black
9th Speaker: Francesca Henderson
11th Speaker: Callie Mitchell
12th Speaker: Haarika Palacharla
15th Speaker: Carson Bates

GFCA 1st Year State — Champions (Close-Out) & Quarterfinalists, 2018-2019
Jack Hightower & Mace Hood (Champions)
Elizabeth Li & Ria Thakur (Champions)
Corey Fuller & Haley Fuller (Quarterfinalists)
Top Speaker: Elizabeth Li
2nd Speaker: Ria Thakur
3rd Speaker: Jack Hightower
6th Speaker: Mace Hood

GFCA 1st Year State — Quarterfinalists, 2017-2018
Lorielle Georgetown & Sachi Reddy (Quarterfinalists)
10th Speaker: Lorielle Georgetown
11th Speaker: Sachi Reddy

GFCA 1st Year State — Semifinalists & Quarterfinalists, 2016-2017
Callum Guo & Samuel Wombough (Semifinalists)
Nishita Ghanate & Saket Surapaneni (Quarterfinalists)
4th Speaker: Nishita Ghanate
10th Speaker: Callum Guo
12th Speaker: Saket Surapaneni

GFCA 1st Year State — Champions & Quarterfinalists, 2015-2016
Mona Mahadevan & Malachi Robinson (Champions)
Jayden Khatib & Nija Packer (Quarterfinalists)
Top Speaker: Mona Mahadevan
3rd Speaker: Jayden Khatib
8th Speaker: Nija Packer
9th Speaker: Malachi Robinson

GFCA 1st Year State — Champions & Semifinalists, 2014-2015
Katherine Herrell & Alanna Pearson (Champions)
Neel Edupuganti & Anna Catherine Farley (Semifinalists)
5th Speaker: Alanna Pearson
9th Speaker: Katherine Herrell
12th Speaker: Neel Edupuganti

GFCA 1st Year State — Quarterfinalists & Octafinalists, 2013-2014
Ali Abdullah & Max Abramson (Quarterfinalists)
Crawford Kennedy & Aly Shakoor (Octafinalists)
6th Speaker: Aly Shakoor
9th Speaker: Max Abramson
12th Speaker: Crawford Kennedy
13th Speaker: Ali Abdullah

GFCA 1st Year State — Semifinalists, 2012-2013
Yash Darshane & Abiram Srivatsa (Semifinalists)
16th Speaker: Abiram Srivatsa