Case Studies

Riki Balu and Kabir Iyenger joined Civic Debate Academy's National Debate Club (NDC) wanting to improve from 2024 where they finished 3-3 at both the TOC Digital and Columbia tournaments. In just a year, they transformed into top-tier competitors, kicking off the 2025 season with 5-1 records at the UK Season Opener and Marist. Their hard work culminated at the Michigan tournament, where they semifinaled and earned their first bid to the Tournament of Champions. Riki credits CDA for helping them grow, saying, “The coaches and the class schedule are great for enhancing prep and in-round strategy.” With expert coaching and a focus on refining their skills, they became consistent winners against high-level opponents, as shown by their rising win percentage throughout the season. Their journey from early struggles to semifinalists is a testament to CDA’s ability to develop debaters into confident, strategic competitors ready to excel on any stage.

Roger Li and Julian Carlile, a brand-new partnership this season, have quickly made a name for themselves under the guidance of the National Debate Club. Despite being in their first year as a team, they wasted no time achieving success on the national circuit. After a solid 4-2 record at Blue Key, they advanced to elimination rounds and secured their first full bid to the Tournament of Champions (TOC). Their breakout moment came at the prestigious Katy Taylor tournament, where they not only advanced through a competitive field but also dominated eliminations, ultimately winning the tournament. This victory solidified their reputation as one of the top teams on the circuit and highlighted their ability to perform under pressure.

‍

‍