Qualifying to the National Tournament

The top two entries in each division at the District Championship earn qualifying bids to the NSDA's National Tournament.   Marist has built one of the most dominant programs in the history of the district, qualifying more than 100 entries over a 11 year span.  

The National Tournament is held in June every year in the middle of our summer break making it hard to attend some years.  Below you will find a list of our students who have qualified and highlighted are the students who attended.

Qualifying Years By Event

Best Finishes at NSDA Nationals

In 2012, the senior team of Claire Mills '12 and Rachel Thurston '12 finished preliminary rounds with a 8-4 record, earning them a spot in elimination debates.  The pair made it to the tenth round where they lost to Cathedral Preparatory School (PA), ranking 23rd in the nation.

In 2017, the senior team of Thomas Vance '17 and Duvall Adair '17 finished preliminary rounds with a undefeated record 12-0, earning them a spot in elimination rounds.  The pair made it to the tenth round where they lost to Greenhill School (TX), ranking 21st in the nation.  Thomas Vance was named the 7th best speaker in the nation.  Paul Plaia '18 advanced to the Octofinals (top 60) in Impromptu Speaking out of 500 speakers. 

In 2019, the junior team of Sophie Verska '20 and Will Sjostrom '20 finished preliminary rounds with an 11-1 record, earning them a spot in the elimination debates.  The pair made it to the eighth round where they lost to Cypress Bay High School (FL), finishing in the top 60 in the country.  

NATIONAL QUALIFIER HISTORY

2011-2012

2012-2013

2013-2014

2014-2015

2015-2016

2016-2017

2017-2018

2018-2019

2019-2020

2020-2021

2021-2022

2022-2023