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Notice about NCFL Qualifications at States

Debate and Speech

Greetings to all NCFL schools.

The Portland Diocese is pleased to host the NCFL Congressional Debate Qualifying Tournament in conjunction with the Maine State Championship Speech and Debate Tournament at Lewiston High School on January 25. Entries from member schools to any of the chambers at the State Tournament are eligible to qualify for nationals so long as they are also registered for the Portland CFL National Qualifying Tournament by the time competition begins on January 25. 

How to enter to qualify

In other words, to enter to qualify for the National Catholic Forensic League 2020 Grand National Tournament, you must complete the following:

  1. Register for and compete in Congressional Debate at the Maine State Championship Speech and Debate Tournament.
  2. Register in Student Congress for the Portland CFL National Qualifying Tournament no later than the start of competition at the State Championship.

There are no entry limits for the Portland CFL National Qualifying Tournament.

Judges will be provided via the State Tournament.

Qualifier determinations

For 2020, we are able to send four qualifiers to the 2020 Grand National Tournament. The four qualifiers will be determined as following:

  • If there are four chambers, the top scorer from each chamber.
  • If there are three chambers, the top two scorers from Senate and top one scorer from each House.

Alternates will be selected from the pool of students with the highest scores. 

Competitors in Student Congress who do not qualify are welcome to enter the Portland CFL National Qualifying Tournament on February 15 in a different event.

Entry fees

Each entry for Student Congress is $7.00. This fee is in addition to any fees invoiced by the Maine Forensic Association for the State Tournament. 

Make payment to:

D’Arcy Robinson, CFL Director
1457 Maine St.
Poland, Maine 04274

Contact D’Arcy Robinson at [email protected] with any questions.

Looking forward to a smooth and stimulating NCFL Congress.
D’Arcy F. Robinson, Portland Diocese Director