On May 4, Seawolf Debate hosted — and won — an exhibition debate against Falcon Forensics of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), ranked the No. 1 university debate team in the nation. The teams debated whether Anchorage should adopt a 3% sales tax, an idea proposed by Mayor Suzanne LaFrance in November 2025.

Arguing in support of the sales tax was UAA’s Ashton Bednar and Casi LeBlanc in her final appearance as a Seawolf debater. Throughout her time in Seawolf Debate, LeBlanc achieved 278 career points, placing her 10th in UAA history, and 90 career wins, placing her 12th in UAA history.

“I feel incredibly fulfilled to end my competitive debate career on such a high note,” said LeBlanc. “I’ve worked hard — and been supported by my coaches and family — to be my authentic self in both life and debate, so having my last debate be against two other incredibly impressive and unique women was perfect.”

Representing USAFA were Fallon Eggett and Audrey Neukomm, ranked No. 1 in the nation according to Yaatly Online Debate League standings of more than 250 teams and based on their sustained performance at tournaments starting in early October 2025 through the national championship at the end of March 2026.

The judges sided with UAA in a 2-1 vote. On the judges panel were Jonathan Bittner, president and CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation; Joelle Hall, president of the Alaska AFL-CIO; and Zac Johnson, Anchorage Assembly representative, UAA aviation technology alumnus and former Seawolf debater.

“I am proud of the hard work, dedication and commitment to each other that our team has. They work incredibly hard to grow as individuals and support one another, and it shows,” said Shawn Briscoe, Seawolf Debate director. “As a graduate of [USAFA], it was an honor to host their top team. They have been one of the top teams in the nation for years, and we love the opportunity to compete against their students on a regular basis.”

Founded in 1972, Seawolf Debate consistently performs among the top university debate teams in the world according to the World Universities Debating Council. Additionally, Seawolf Debate supports high school and middle school debate programs across Alaska, with students and faculty serving as coaches and judges. 

In fact, Seawolf Debate’s commitment to fostering discourse in the community contributed to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education awarding UAA with the prestigious 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, making UAA one of the 5% of universities nationwide to receive such a designation.