Meet The Team!
Bryan Zhao
Co-Founder | President
Hey! I’m Bryan and I’m a junior at the Awty International School in Houston, Texas. As the only PF team at my school, I qualified and cleared at the TOC sophomore year while also qualifying for TFA state both years of my career. Being the president of Awty Speech and Debate, I love to help others learn this activity! In my free time, I like to write and play videogames.
Sumith Murthy
Co-Founder | Vice President
Hi, I’m Sumith! I go to Strake Jesuit in Houston, Texas and I am a currently a sophomore. I qualified to both the TOC and TFA state as a freshman while also having an ample amount of National Circuit experience. In my free time, I like to rock climb and play videogames.
Willie Tsai
Resource Director | Instructor
Hey! I’m Willie, a junior at Fairmont Prep in Anaheim, California. I accumulated 5 TOC bids last year and had the most NSDA points of any sophomore in California. Most notably, I reached semifinals at Apple Valley and NDCAs. Outside of debate, I love playing video games and listening to music.
Connor Chun
Outreach Director | Instructor
Hey! I’m Connor and I’m a junior at Langley High School in Northern Virginia. I’ve been a PF debater for two years, both reaching Octos at the TOC and winning NCFL Grand Nationals in my sophomore year. I’ve reached deep elimination rounds at several national tournaments, winning the top speaker award at St. Josephs University and the University of Houston. I’ve taught at summer camps, privately coached, and instructed my school’s team as a captain. Outside of debate, I love rock climbing and playing the violin.
Charlie Yang
Coaching Director | Instructor
Hi! I’m Charlie and I am a senior at The Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas and am currently a co-president of the debate team. I have experience debating at the local and national level. I have amassed 7 bids to the TOC, reaching late outrounds at tournaments such as Berkeley (Octas), Apple Valley (Semis), ASU (Octas), Katy Taylor (co-champ), and more. I also have received invites to prestigious round robins, notably reaching the semifinals of the California Round Robin. On the state level, I have qualified for TFA State since freshman year and have reached as far as quarterfinals. Outside of debate, I do a lot of cello/orchestra things.
Finney Haire
Instructor
Hey, I’m Finney! I’m a senior at Strake and have been doing debate on the National Circuit ever since my sophomore year, bidding at Grapevine, University of Kentucky Season Opener, New York City Invitational, and Sunvite. I have reached elimination rounds at many other tournaments such as the Gold TOC and TFA State. I also have teaching experience throughout Houston and can teach about almost any aspect of debate, but I know the most about flay and traditional debate.
Mac Stratton
Instructor
Hi, I’m Mac. I’m a Strake Jesuit junior debater who also competed in middle school. Most notably, I have accumulated 7 bids to the TOC and quartered the TOC as well. I also want to expand my horizons by dabbling in the coaching aspect of the debate realm.
Aaron Tian
Instructor
Hi! I’m Aaron and I’m a junior at Thomas Wootton High School. I’m a captain of my school’s debate team and have been debating for more than 5 years on the national and local circuits. I’ve been ranked as high as top 3 in the country, and amassed 7 gold bids and 1 silver bid to the Tournament of Champions. Notably, I championed Lexington and SVUDL and reached semifinals at UPenn and Harvard. I enjoy both technical and lay styles of debate, and have experience in all types of arguments. Outside of debate I enjoy listening to music, hanging out with friends, and playing volleyball and pickleball. I’m super excited to get to work with everyone!
Peter Hablinski
Instructor
Hello everyone my name is Peter Hablinski, and I am a junior at Strake Jesuit. One of my largest accomplishments was breaking at 4 TOC bid tournaments, including New York City Invitational where I got a silver bid. In the postseason, I attended the Tournament of Champions. A fun fact about me is that I love watching football.
Michael Meng
Instructor
Hi, I’m Michael. I’m a junior at Strake Jesuit. I’ve been competing on the national circuit in LD since freshman year, qualifying for the TOC, reaching Quarters of the Lexington Invitational, Quarters of the Mid America Cup, Semis of Churchill, and clearing at other tournaments my sophomore year. A majority of my rounds consisted of policy arguments (DA/CP) with some involving critical arguments (Aff v K/K v Aff). Outside of debate, I like listening to music and fencing.
Winston Wu
Instructor
Hey y’all, my name is Winston and I’m excited to work with everyone! I’m currently a junior at Strake Jesuit and I’ve done debate for 2 years. I have plenty of experience on the local circuit as well as on the national circuit. My biggest accomplishments are placing top 20 at Columbia, State, and NYC Invitational, and I’m also ranked top 200 in the nation. Outside of debate, I enjoy working out, drawing, and going on walks with my friends.
Ben Rask
Instructor
I’m Ben, junior at Basis Independent Mclean in Virginia. I’ve debated high school pf for two years. So far, I’ve broken at numerous national tournaments, qualifying and reaching elimination rounds at multiple championship tournaments such as Gold TOC and NCFL Grand Nationals, and placed First at the Virginia State Championship. I enjoy all kinds of debate, but specialize in fast-paced technical rounds where skills like weighing and back-half strategy are crucial. I have experience coaching students and am captain of my school’s team. Outside of debate, I enjoy spending time with friends and playing the violin.
Join Us!
We are always looking for motivated and talented staff to help us on our mission to make debate as equitable as possible!