Tabulation & Awards

Updated January 11, 2020.

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 2020 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. The top four competitors or teams will move into a single elimination semi-final round, with the winners moving on to a final round. The final round will include a panel of three judges per category.

Competition Awards

Formal awards from the Maine Principals Association will be presented to the State’s best competitors in all Varsity divisions.

The top three competitors in each category (13 categories in Speech, two categories with five total divisions in Debate, and two categories in Congress) will receive a plaque or medal, and fourth and fifth place competitors will receive ribbons.

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 (Speech, Debate and Congressional Debate) honoring retired coaches Jane Laughlin, Richard Mullen, and Robert Hoy.

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, January 23. 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, January 23.