Updated January 30, 2021.
All rules are per the MFA By-laws and Maine State Championship Handbook, which are subject to change by majority vote of member schools. The information below is based on the 2021 invitation.
MFA rules for State Tournament differ slightly from normal season procedures.
Speech tabulation will run three preliminary rounds and a final round for the top approximately six competitors. Final round will include a panel of three judges per category.
Debate tabulation will run four preliminary rounds. Currently, the top four competitors or teams will move into a single elimination semi-final round, with the winners moving on to a final round, but there is a proposal to include all debaters with a 3-1 or better record in a quarter final round. The final round will include a panel of three judges per category.
Competition Awards
Formal awards will be presented to the State’s best competitors in all Varsity divisions.
The top three competitors in each category will receive a plaque or medal, and fourth and fifth place competitors will receive certificates.
The top five schools will receive sweepstakes awards in Speech, Debate (PF and LD), and Congressional Debate; a trophy for first place and plaques for runner-up through fifth place.
Annual Awards
Voting to recognize outstanding teams and people for season-wide performance will occur in the first half of the tournament day for:
- (School) Maine Principals Association Sportsmanship for each event category: Speech, Debate and Congressional Debate
- Kathleen Schulz Excellence in Coaching Award (one award, combining the above three categories)
- Judge of the Year (one award, combining the above three categories)
- Scholarship to a graduating student in each of the three areas of competition honoring retired coaches: Richard Mullen Speech Scholarship, Jane Laughlin Debate Scholarship, and Robert Hoy Congressional Debate Scholarship.
For Coach of the Year and Judge of the Year, discuss as a team before submitting nominations with a brief justification (optional) by 11:55 p.m., Thursday, February 25. Nominations are collected by MFA secretary Lyndsy Denk.
Scholarship nominations are collected by MFA secretary Lyndsy Denk. Nominations may be made by any MFA coach, nominating their own or another’s student, by 11:55 p.m., Thursday, February 25.