State 2007

[DBrennan]

Big 9 grabbed 3 of the top 4 spots in Disco this year, keeping the title in Mankato.

Champion: Cady Nicol (East)
3rd Place: Kim Braun (West)
4th Place: Michael...something (Rochester JM)

Good times. Cady grabs East's first championship in 15 years!

[Seansy]

Michael Manansala was his name. Just wanted to congratulate Cady on winning State, give a shout out to my former teammate Kim for finishing an outstanding Disco year and career on such a high note, and congratulate all whom finaled for making it to the final round. It was an... interesting discussion, to say the least.

I'll just leave it at that and hope other people that were there will chime in with their thoughts. *coughMikeCartercough* *coughSeanOlsoncough*

[SKOlson]

Ah, the subtle remarks from Sean Maertans...

Congrats to Cady on a well-deserved win. Also congrats to Elliot-- it's strange to see competitors that I competed with still around. I guess that means I am a relic.

I thought the round was weak on flow. The task was asking about a single payer system like the British model and the group seemed to be focused on moving it towards talking about all forms of universal health care. Not everyone in the group did this, and this is how the top 3 were ranked. I think this also proves a major point about Discussion: you do not have to talk all the time to get the 1. The top three were, in my opinion, the ones who talked the least but impacted everything they brought up with good support and reasoning. I would rather hear one good argument from a discussant than hear 12 nonsensical outbursts.

Again, congrats to every one, and I will see you all again in a year (provided the uber-region of Eagan Apple Valley and Eastview is kind to us)

Sean

[Seansy]

Almost Sean. It's Maertens. :lol:

I would have to agree with you regarding your assessment of the discussion. Although, I don't think it has ever been much of an oddity so see a disco round get off task. The one thing I have seen in common with all three of the last disco final rounds at State is that the people who talk the most haven't won the final round. Heck, my experience tells me that people who talk the most aren't even guranteed to make the final round. Especially if they don't impact what they talk about back to the task.

[SKOlson]

Agreed, Sean Maertens..... :-P

[DBrennan]

I will see you all again in a year (provided the uber-region of Eagan Apple Valley and Eastview is kind to us)

Sean

You wanna talk about uber-region, try Southern MN Discussion! Boo-ya!

My dynasty ends, I think I'll let some other people start winning.

[Seansy]

Agreed, Mr. Brennan. Hopefully on both points :wink:

I have high hopes for the up and coming Discussants at West. People better not be surprised to find Nick Traxler or Tsesa Monaghan in the winner's circle throughout the season and at the State Tournament next year

Combine that with the bottomless pit of a discussion talent pool that is Mankato East and the discussion rounds next year in Southern MN should prove to be very interesting to watch