Wilkes University debate team member Tom Schmidt was a quarterfinalist at the Jersey Shore Invitational Debate Tournament at Monmouth, N.J., Nov. 22-24.

Schmidt was paired with a Binghamton University student and advanced to the quarterfinal round after succeeding in six preliminary rounds with a 4-2 record and then winning the octo-final round in a 3-0 decision. He lost to West Virginia University in a 2-1 quarterfinal round decision.

More than 100 students from the Northeast Division participated at the Jersey Shore competition. The tournament hosted teams from Boston College, NYU, West Point Military Academy, Binghamton University, and City University of New York, among others. Students competed by presenting arguments that called for the restriction of presidential war powers.

Schmidt is a Wilkes sophomore majoring in political science and history. The Mountaintop resident hopes to attend law school after graduation.