The Blanco High School team of Siomha Moore and Kirstin Weber defeated Godley to win the UIL Class AA Cross-Examination Debate State Championship held at the University of Texas in Austin on March 11-12.

The 64-team tournament consists of the top two qualifiers from each of the 32 districts in the state. On the first day, teams debate four preliminary rounds with a single critic judge making each decision. The second day is a 16-team, single elimination tournament consisting of the teams with the best records from the first day. Panels of three critic judges evaluate each debate during the elimination rounds.

Weber and Moore, both seniors, finished the tournament with a perfect 8-0 record. On the first day, they defeated teams from New Boston, Boling (twice), and Bishop. During elimination rounds, they beat Itasca, McGregor, and Holliday before facing Godley for the championship.

The debate resolution for the 2007-08 school year was “Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase public health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Debate teams must prepare to argue both sides of the resolution during the course of a tournament. The Blanco High School debate coach is Russell Kirkscey.