The Saint Anselm College Thomas More Debate Society took home the top prize at a Suffolk University competition Feb. 9 and 10.
The team placed first overall, edging out Central Michigan University, Lafayette College, The University of Pennsylvania, Emerson College and Ithaca College. A total of 27 debaters 
from the six schools were involved in the competition.
On the first day, Anthony Delcourt ’09, a philosophy major, and Nicole Thorspecken ’09, a history major, were declared co-champions, while team captain Ryan Ollis ’08, a politics major, came in third place. Thorspecken also won the first place speaker award for the day.
In the second day of competition, Ollis reached the final round while Delcourt placed third, reaching the semi-finals. Next up for the debate team is the Northeast Regional Championships in Boston where the team is looking to repeat the success of previous years.
Five students are taking part in the debate team this year. Under the advisement of David Trumble, they are debating the topic of increasing US aid to the Greater Horn of Africa in the areas of public health, economic development and human rights.
The team has a history of hard earned success. Members travel more than 25 days a year and spend countless hours researching. “We were all athletes in high school and I think it says a lot about us and our level of competitiveness,” said Thorspecken. “We don’t like to lose.”