MNUDL Takes Harvard: UDNC 2026
Harvard University played host this weekend to the Urban Debate National Championship. Minnesota’s urban debaters showed up and showed out.
Teams from across the country competed at one of the most storied campuses in America, and the Minnesota Urban Debate League had plenty to celebrate by the time the final round was called.
Debate en Español: A Historic Run to the Finals
Como Park’s Juliana and Paula competed in the Debate en Español division and fought all the way to the championship round, ultimately finishing as national runners-up after a close final against a team from Chicago Debates. Juliana earned third speaker honors for the tournament.
What makes this achievement even more extraordinary is the context around it. Debate en Español is a new national division, presenting one of the rare opportunities for Spanish-speakers to compete on the national level in the United States. Minnesota’s Debate En Español program has been navigating a particularly difficult season. With fear and immigration enforcement weighing heavily on communities across the Twin Cities, the courage it took for these students to travel across the country and compete on a national stage cannot be overstated. Their journey, captured in a video they filmed themselves, tells the story better than any recap could. Watch it on YouTube and read the English translation in the caption.
“When we arrived, we felt very nervous… Our coaches were with us every step of the way!”
Their pride, excitement, and gratitude radiates from every frame.
St. Paul Central: Quarterfinalists (and Social Media Champions!)
Kiernan and Ben from St. Paul Central had a tournament to remember. The duo advanced to the quarterfinals, with Ben earning 6th speaker and Kiernan placing 11th. But they weren’t done. The pair also won the tournament’s social media contest, racking up an impressive 65 Instagram posts throughout the weekend!
This adds another chapter to an already standout season for Kiernan, who was recently named a NAUDL Student of the Year finalist, a recognition of excellence both in debate and in the broader community.
Washburn Debaters Represent Minneapolis at Harvard University
Washburn had its first showing at the Urban Debate National Championship in a decade’s time. Haven and Charlie from Washburn finished the preliminary rounds at 3-3, missing the cut to octafinalists by the slimmest of margins. Earning their way to the tournament is a genuine accomplishment, and we are proud of their hard-fought battle against some of the best urban debaters in the country.
None of it could have happened without the coaches and volunteers who gave their time, energy, and heart to make this trip possible. They traveled alongside these students every step of the way, from check-in at the airport to late-night practice sessions in Boston to the halls of Harvard. Our mentors show up not just as coaches, but as guides, cheerleaders, and proof that these young people have a whole community behind them. To everyone who made the journey: thank you!
