Gonzaga Debate Claims Third Consecutive CARD National Championship

Gonzaga Wins Third Consecutive CARD National Championship

The Gonzaga Debate Team has claimed the CARD Debate National Championship for the third consecutive year, cementing the program's standing among the nation's elite collegiate debate programs. The victory was secured April 11–12 at a tournament hosted by Weber State University, where Gonzaga representatives competed against top programs from across the country.

Senior Kaelyn Wellman (Honors College; Philosophy and Italian Studies) and junior Everett Roe (Civil Engineering) won the national title with a victory over California State University, Northridge in the championship round. The pair completed the tournament without a single loss, defeating CSU Northridge, the University of Oregon, Arizona State University, the University of Minnesota, CSU Fullerton and Western Washington University, among others.

A Historic Third Championship for Gonzaga Debate

Three consecutive national championships is a milestone without precedent in CARD competition. Director of Debate Glen Frappier reflected on what the achievement represents — not just for the program, but for the students who built it.

"I couldn't be prouder of this group of students, and it has been an absolute honor to work with them," Frappier said. "They work hard, consistently look for ways to improve their craft, and most of all they are really great people. A third consecutive CARD championship is unprecedented and has definitely established Gonzaga as the team to beat!"

Wellman Earns Top Research Honors in Academic Conference

Alongside the team championship, Wellman distinguished themself in the CARD academic conference, an accompanying event where student competitors develop and present original research drawn from their season-long engagement with the debate topic. This year's central controversy focused on organized labor, collective bargaining rights and unionization.

Wellman's paper, "A Labor of Love: Gendered Affective Labor and Intercollegiate Policy Debate," was awarded top research project at the conference — the third consecutive year they have earned that distinction.

Full Gonzaga Delegation at CARD 2025

Also representing Gonzaga in competition and at the academic conference were Dash Weinhardt (Political Science), Mac Kelly (Political Science), El Jones (Communication Studies), Brady Oakleaf (Political Science), Alex Munson (Political Science) and Sofiia Praslova (Applied Mathematics and Analytical Finance).

Looking Ahead: Gonzaga Debate's Continued Commitment to Excellence

The CARD tournament marks the conclusion of the 2025–26 competitive season. Six seniors will depart the program, a transition Frappier acknowledged candidly.

"Losing six seniors is going to leave a mark, but we've got a great incoming recruiting class and plan to be in the mix for another championship in 2027!" he said.

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Gonzaga Debate is a Program of the Department of Communications Studies, College of Arts & Sciences.