A small group of Cary Academy students attended the Tarheel Forensic League State Championship hosted by North Mecklenburg High School the weekend of March 22-23. Laura Cabana was crowned the state champion in Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate after advancing through 5 preliminary rounds with a 4-1 record and winning her quarterfinal, semifinal, and final rounds on split 2-1 decisions. This was the sixth time in school history a Lincoln Douglas Debater has won a state title. In the speech events Bill Peebles was a semifinalist in both Extemporaneous and Impromptu Speaking, and Bharat Modi was a semifinalist in Extemp as well. Due to the tournament being the first week back from spring break, as well as conflicts with various school events such as athletics, CA's team was among the smallest of those competing unlike most local tournaments. Due to the outstanding performances mentioned above CA placed first in the small school division for sweepstakes which is meant to recognize smaller squads.

At the second half of the district qualifying tournament held this weekend at South View High School Cary Academy added two more national qualifiers. Ted Waechter was the champion of Senate and Bill Peebles was the runner up in International Extemporaneous Speaking. Other students who placed in their respective events were as follows: Matt Aupperle was 2nd in House 1 and is the first alternate to Nationals. Nate Jones was 4th in US Extemp and 5th Place in House 2. Leighton Boair was 4th in House 2. Arnav Goswani was 6th in US Extemp and Daniel Sheitman was was 6th in Foreign Extemp. Bill and Ted join LDers Puj Adusumilli and Alexis Williams and will represent CA and the Tarheel East District at the National tournament in Birmingham in June.