Big news is that we broke virtually everyone into outround eliminations. Brennan double-broke in extemp and oratory into qtrs; Will and Val into octos; John Holsinger in Dec and Ryan in OI both into qtrs.
Leaving campus on Friday at two, our bus driver took us across Pennsylvania fields growing whiter and whiter... dreaming of a White Thanksgiving. Arriving at the hotel at 7 in the evening, we linked up with Mr Pratt, president of the Booster Society, and Lauren Burt, our assistant coach. With Lauren taking the kids to dinner, Mr Pratt drove Da Czar to the tournament hotel for registration and we sat over dinner at Malgianno's, looking over the schematics and finding out just where the kids were going to be tomorrow. This Holiday Inn is the nicest and cheapest we've stayed in Phillie. Definitely a must for next year.
On Saturday, getting up bright and early (0600), Da Czar warmed up the bus while the students had breakfast before we headed to the tournament for the extemp file unload and Da Czar heading to the hour-long General Assembly as they shifted rooms and competitors. Villiger is a great tournament; but reminds you just how far the internet has shifted the tournament paradigm. Yale, Princeton, and UPenn use a web-based tournament application that posts online; so no massive changes of competitors from one room to the other.
With only moderate room difficulties, the students proceded through the day without much mishap. Mr Pratt and Da Czar were able to scope out nearby Starbucks and checked out Larry's Steak House for Sunday's team dinner.
Da Czar was also able to connect with Rebecca Jackson-Spellacey, former debate captain ('03) and her new husband over coffee.
Enjoying a delightful traditional team dinner at IHOP with Sparkle, our waitress, John enjoyed the largest hot cocoa ever, helped by Ryan.
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