Lincoln Middle School student named Overall Middle School Tournament Champion in America 250 – The Great Debate National Civics & Debate Championship; Alachua County competitors bring home 20 trophies

Staff report

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Students from across Alachua County delivered extraordinary performances at the America 250 – The Great Debate National Civics & Debate Championship, held January 16–19, 2026, in Orlando. Local students earned a remarkable share of awards and top honors against national competition, and Lincoln Middle School eighth-grader Avinoor Jutla was named the Overall Middle School Tournament Champion.

The championship featured more than 600 student competitors from Florida and 14 other states. With a limited number of trophies awarded, every trophy signified a result in the top 5% of all competitors nationwide.

In the Middle School division, Alachua County students captured 14 of the 30 total awards, accounting for over 46% of all Middle School trophies awarded — nearly half. Avinoor Jutla of Lincoln Middle School was named the Overall Middle School Tournament Champion, while Homeschooler Cooper Campen earned 4th Place Overall in the Middle School division.

Jutla, who was an award-winner in three middle school categories, is coached by Marna Weston, who has coached several students to victory in speech and debate competitions in recent years, including the 2024 National Civics and Debate Champion. Weston has himself earned state and national recognition for his work.

“This accomplishment reflects Avinoor’s hard work, discipline, and passion for civic engagement,” said Weston. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see students grow into confident thinkers and speakers on a national stage.”

Across all divisions, Alachua County competitors earned 20 total trophies, representing approximately 22% of all awards presented at the championship.

Alachua County students were particularly dominant in Middle School Impromptu Speaking, capturing 7 of the 10 trophies awarded in that event. Homeschooler Cooper Campen claimed 1st Place, leading a strong showing that included students from Alachua County public schools and the Frazer School, demonstrating county-wide academic excellence.

Middle School Results

Overall Honors

• Avinoor Jutla, Lincoln Middle School — Overall Middle School Tournament Champion
• Cooper Campen, Campen Homeschool — 4th Place Overall, Middle School Division

Extemporaneous Debate

• Avinoor Jutla, Lincoln Middle School — 6th Place
• Cooper Campen, Campen Homeschool — Finalist
• Maria Eder, Oak View Middle School — Finalist

Impromptu Speaking

• Cooper Campen, Campen Homeschool — 1st Place
• Avinoor Jutla, Lincoln Middle School — 2nd Place
• Ellington Smith, Oak View Middle School — 3rd Place
• Shreeya Narasimhan, Frazer School — 4th Place
• Sarah Khial, Kanapaha Middle School — Finalist
• Aarnav Kandhiraju, Frazer School — Finalist
• Vincent Wen, Frazer School — Finalist

Legislative Debate

• Maggie Castle, Oak View Middle School — 5th Place
• Quinn Baker, Oak View Middle School — Finalist
• Avinoor Jutla, Lincoln Middle School — Finalist
• Sarah Khial, Kanapaha Middle School — Finalist

High School Results

Varsity Impromptu Speaking

• Audrey Ellenburg, Newberry High School — 5th Place
• Tanvi Gawande, Eastside High School — Finalist
• Gillian Collins, Gainesville High School — Finalist
• Arlo Sawicki, Gainesville High School — Finalist

Varsity Legislative Debate

• Gillian Collins, Gainesville High School — 5th Place
• Steph Salavei, Santa Fe High School — Finalist

Thanks to Brad Campen for sending us the complete results for all Alachua County students!