Albuquerque Academy’s debate program has reached a remarkable milestone this year, with three Varsity Public Forum (VPF) debate teams earning bids to the prestigious Tournament of Champions (TOC). The TOC, hosted annually by the University of Kentucky, is widely regarded as the premier national speech and debate championship for high school students.
Leading this impressive achievement, Abbott Carothers ’25 and Aarush Tutiki ’26 secured full qualification to the TOC after an outstanding performance at the Arizona State University tournament in January. The duo finished as quarter-finalists, placing in the Top 8 out of a competitive field of 137 teams. Their success included advancing through several elimination rounds and earning a coveted Gold Bid, which automatically secures TOC qualification.
Joining them in the spotlight, teammates Jaycee Sanchez ’26 and Anagha Devarakonda ’26 also excelled at the ASU tournament, finishing as double-octa finalists (Top 32) and earning a Silver Bid toward TOC qualification. Two Silver Bids are needed to qualify for the TOC.
This success builds on the momentum from last month when Elizabeth Hiller ’25 and Akilan Sankaran ’25 earned a Silver Bid at the Newman Invitational, finishing as semi-finalists in the Top 4 out of 42 teams.
Having three VPF teams earn TOC bids in a single year is a historic accomplishment for Albuquerque Academy’s debate program – something that hasn’t happened in almost a decade. Even more notably, Abbott and Aarush’s qualification marks the first time since 2013 that an Academy debate team has secured a spot at the TOC.
Qualifying for the TOC is no small feat, says Elise Matton, who coaches speech and debate. Academy students compete in only a few national circuit qualifying tournaments each year, often facing teams with significantly more competitive experience. Reaching the elimination rounds – let alone earning bids – is a testament to the hard work and talent of these debaters.
