Varsity debaters Mahi Shah and Cyrus Esmailzadeh advanced to the elimination round for the first time, farther than they ever have before, at the JW Patterson Tournament of Champions, one of the most prestigious high school debate tournaments, held at the University of Kentucky in Lexington April 15-17. Led by debate coach Sonny Patel, the pairing won five rounds and lost two.

Mahi said that she and Cyrus, who are both juniors, competed at the virtual tournament last year, making this their first in-person attendance.

“It was a very different environment compared to other tournaments,” Mahi said. “Everyone was locked in trying to prep before every round, just trying really hard to get ready for the rounds, making sure they had everything.”

This school year was also Dr. Patel’s last season as the debate coach for Lab after eight years.

“It was nice to, at least, end up where he got to experience a Tournament of Champions in which we made it to the elimination rounds,” Mahi said.

Mahi said that the debate team is focused on improving different skill sets and ideas as they look toward the future.

“I think that we were happy with how we did, and we want to go really far next season,” Mahi said. “I’d like to see, next year, we have high aspirations for getting further into the elimination rounds.”