Judge Philosophies
Aaliyah Castro - LEE
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Abbey Barnes (she/her's) - USM
not as dumb as I look
Abby Weiss - ACU
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Abigail Poling - HPU
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Adam Naiser - UAMONT
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Adam Kinder - LEE
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Alex Gibson - BPCC
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Alexandria Ritchie - ACU
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Ali Richard - Jeff State
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Alysia Wilson - LSUS
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Alyssa Rodgers - OKBU
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Amari Washington - ORU
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Amber Whitehead - MSU
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Anastasia Ortiz - MTSU
Andy Luster - PVAMU
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Anna Ward - UAMONT
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Anthony Copeland - LTU
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Anthony McMullen (he/him) - UCA
Experience
I competed in IPDA for the University of Arkansas (20002005) and have coached at the University of Central Arkansas since 2007. Most of my experience is in IPDA, and that shapes how I evaluate rounds. Im also a licensed attorney and spent seven years working for the Arkansas Court of Appeals, where my job was to evaluate arguments with real-world consequences. I consider myself a policymaker judge, which means I approach the round as if Im deciding whether the resolution should be adopted in the real world based on its practical merits.
General Philosophy
I strongly prefer to decide rounds on the merits of the resolution. However, if a debater shows that fairness or structure has been meaningfully compromised, I will evaluate theory or procedural argumentsbut the bar is high. Theory arguments must be clearly structured (interpretation, violation, standards, and voters) and well explained. I default to reasonability over competing interpretations and expect to see real, round-specific abuse rather than abstract or hypothetical violations. One conditional advocacy is fine by default, but multiple conditional worlds require strong justification. If theory restores fairness or protects the structure of the round, Ill vote on it. If it feels like a technical trap, I wont.
Impact Calculus and Rebuttals
Final speeches should focus on impact calculus. Dont just extend your argumentscompare them. Tell me why your impacts matter more. If you're arguing that your world is bigger, faster, more probable, or more ethical, make that analysis explicit.
No new arguments in rebuttals. You may extend previous claims and bring in additional evidence to support them, but entirely new arguments or impacts introduced for the first time in the final speech will not be considered.
Delivery and Organization
Speed hurts more than it helps. Think podcast at 1.5x speedthats about as fast as I can comfortably process. I wont vote on what I cant understand, and in forms of debate that discourse speed and spreading, I will penalize it even if I catch everything. Id much rather hear three strong, developed arguments than six rushed ones.
I do flow the round, but I care more about clarity, structure, and impact comparison than technical line-by-line coverage. Pointing out that your opponent dropped an argument is fine, but that by itself wont win the round on its own. You must explain why that dropped argument matters within the broader context of the debate.
Framework and Evaluation
Weighing mechanisms are not required. If you think one helps you frame the round, feel free to offer it. If not, I will default to a preponderance of the evidence standardwhichever side provides the more persuasive and well-supported world should win.
Cross-Ex and POIs
I listen to cross-examination and Points of Information and consider them part of the round. However, these tools are most effective when used to set up your next speech. If you get a key concession or back your opponent into a corner, make sure you follow up on it and tell me why it matters.
Topicality and Disclosure
I will vote on topicality when it is well explained and clearly tied to fairness or ground loss. I give the affirmative the benefit of the doubt when their interpretation aligns with framers intent. If the resolution is straightforward, no disclosure is required. If the resolution is metaphorical or unusually vague, disclosure is encouraged. While I wont penalize a team for failing to disclose, I willdisqualify a team for giving a false or misleading disclosure.
Kritiks
I am open to kritiks, but dont assume Im fluent in the literature. Please walk me through the link, impact, and alternative in clear, accessible language. Im more receptive to kritiks that challenge real-world assumptions or harms than to those that only critique debate as an institution. While I still prefer to vote on the merits of the resolution, I will evaluate a K if it is well-developed and contextualized within the round.
Evidence
I value quality over quantity. A well-explained statistic or quotation is more persuasive than a long string of uncontextualized data. Paraphrased evidence is fine as long as it is accurate and clearly connected to your claims.
Professionalism and Courtesy
Debate is a competitive activity, but it should also be respectful. You dont need to thank me profusely or perform gratitude, but I do expect debaters to treat each other with courtesy. Rudeness, sarcasm, or dismissiveness toward your opponent will hurt your speaker points and my impression of your argumentation.
Humor is welcome when appropriate. If the topic is lighthearted, a well-timed joke or clever phrasing can enhance your presentation. Just keep it respectful, and dont let humor become a substitute for substance.
Final Thought
Your job is to help me write a ballot. I appreciate smart choices, organized thinking, and meaningful clash. Help me understand your advocacy, show me why its preferable, and do so with clarity, strategy, and respect.
Aria Giacona - LTU
n/a
Ashley Hale (she/her) - LTU
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Aurora King (she/her) - UCA
Austin Robison - BPCC
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Autumn Wibright - VSU
Avery Rankin - ORU
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Avry Wood - OKBU
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Ben Chippeaux - OKBU
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Benjamin Freasier - LTU
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Blake Traylor - Belmont Abbey
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Bob Alexander - BPCC
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Braxton Clark - HPU
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Brianna Harperhoward - NSU
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Brittany Chapa - ACU
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Brittany Hamilton - UAMONT
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Brittney Harris - LSUS
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Brynne Wilson - OKBU
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Caitlin Hurlbut - OKBU
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Cameron Hodge - Jeff State
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Canyon McGee - OKBU
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Carlos Powell - MTSU
Carson Kroenke - OKBU
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Cedrica Ellison - Belmont Abbey
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Charlie McBride - LTU
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Chidinma Brown - PVAMU
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Chip Myers - SMU
Christian Thomas - UTK
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Christine Courteau - LEE
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Codey King - UTK
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Cody Levi - UTK
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Colby Walker - LSUS
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Collin Staten - MSU
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Constance Smith - ATU
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DOUGLAS REHM (he/his) - USM
Damon Thomas - MSU
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Daniel Davis - Jeff State
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David Issacs - LSUS
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Diego Moreno - LEE
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Dom Mercer (He/Him) - LSUS
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Donna Belcher - PVAMU
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Doug Hall - Casper College
IPDA: The intent of this event is to be accessbile to the layperson. This is 100% how I look at and judge this event. Detailed procedural arguments have no place in this event. I will not vote on kritik and will likely reject a debater attempting these positions. If the procedural argument is accessbile and well linked, I may consider the reasoning. Other than that, I am looking for fluency of speech, sound logic, good argumentation and research, and an appropriate CX. As for rate, my rule in IPDA is if I can't flow it, I won't. Don't rush! I also, always, look for mutual respect between debaters. Treat each other with kindness.
LD/Parli: I will vote on procedural arguments IF they are well linked and make logical sense. If procedural arguments are being run as a strategy, and do not link well to the resolution in question, I'm not likely to consider it; this especially applies to Kritik positions. Linking a Kritik and offering an alt are critical. Without those two things, I will not vote for K. While I don't necessarily like or respect spreading, I will flow what I can.
Doug Bedsaul - MSU
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Dylan Proctor - MSU
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EDEN ORWELL (she/they) - USM
Eli Stroud (they/them) - UCA
Elijah Biedinger - ACU
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Elizabeth McDowell - LTU
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Emilie Vann - OKBU
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Emily Phillips - MSU
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Emily Mikkelsen - Belmont Abbey
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Emily Erwin - OKBU
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Emma Chocholaty - OKBU
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Emma Waite - SMU
Emma Busby - OKBU
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Emmitt Antwine - LTU
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Eric Swartz - Belmont Abbey
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Ervin Fuller - LEE
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Esmeralda Maldonado - HPU
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Ethan Harriel - MSU
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Graham Christophel - MTSU
Haley Mims-Crawford - UAMONT
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Hannah Hagen - SMU
Hayden Wallace - LSUS
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I.G. Lampert - ADC
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Ian Mikkelsen - Belmont Abbey
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Imani Jackson - OKBU
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Isabelle Robertson - Belmont Abbey
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Iyanna Marshall - USM
Don't ground shift, don't spread, impact it out.
J.A. Patterson - ADC
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Jachin McDonald - OKBU
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Jacob Bryan - OKBU
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Jade Stauffer - OKBU
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Jaden Spaulding - UAMONT
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James McPheeters - OKBU
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James Kaiser - MSU
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Jayce Burney (he/him) - UCA
Jerry McCauley - LSUS
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Joe Mego - MTSU
John Barhorst - MTSU
Jonathan Bridenbaker - VSU
Jordan Kaiser - NWACC
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Joseph Boone - VSU
Joshua Hendricks (they/them) - USM
Debate better.
Joshua Morgan - OKBU
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KELLI KIRKLAND (she/her's) - USM
KLAUS BERRY - USM
Kara Taylor - LTU
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Kat Gainey - MSU
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Kathy Miller - UAMONT
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Katie McKenzie - LTU
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Kayleigh Guffey - Belmont Abbey
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Kelvin Thomas - Jeff State
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Kendrick Kruskie - LTU
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Kipp Gehris - MSU
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Kristin Magar - OKBU
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Lacey Gulley - LEE
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Laramie Snow - OKBU
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Lauren Turner - OKBU
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Leah Sparkman - LEE
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Leslie Salley - LSUS
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Lillia Poveda - UTK
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MTSU-Patrick Richey (he/him/Dr.) - MTSU
Meh. I've judged a few rounds. I hate rudeness and disrespect in rounds. Keep it nice and cordial. Don't BS me. I like cats!!!!
Mallory Taylor (She/Her) - LSUS
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Margaret Dorsey - MSU
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Marquita Chambers - BPCC
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Mary Catherine Procell - LSUS
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Mary Rose Stepnowski - Belmont Abbey
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Maxwell Moore - ACU
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McKenzie McClain - UAMONT
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Megan Smith* - LTU
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Miura Rempis - MTSU
Morgan Martin - OKBU
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Naam Chand - ORU
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Nate Goldstein - LTU
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Nathan Marshall - ACU
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Nathaniel Williams - MSU
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Nicholas Patwardhan - MSU
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Oliver Martins - UTK
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Patrick McKenzie - MSU
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Rachel Zernicek - ORU
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Rebecca Marcucci - Belmont Abbey
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Rigo Ruiz - LEE
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Rishona Raub - HPU
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Ryan Straughan - BPCC
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Ryan Jarratt - MSU
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SMU-Ben Voth - SMU
Treat your opponents with affirming respect. Pursue the educational value of debate as an ethic. I have judged debates for over 30 years in various formats. I look forward to hearing your voice on this matter. I like good research and good delivery.
Sabrina Duff - LSUS
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Scarlett Miller - Casper College
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Sheila Ritchie (she/her) - ACU
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Shelbi McNulty - PVAMU
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Sian Fox - UCA
Steve Garcia - LTU
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Steven Barhorst - MTSU
Sydney Robbins - MTSU
Sydney Collier - OKBU
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TJ Reynolds - ACU
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Taylor Enslin - SMU
Thomas Sorensen - ACU
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Tommy James (He/Him) - LSUS
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Ty Young - UAMONT
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Tyler Burkhardt - SMU
Vanessa Rangel - UAMONT
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Violet Webber - OKBU
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Zach Young - UAMONT
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jacob Humphries - Jeff State
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kathleen hill - OKBU
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madison peel - OKBU
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