Little Rock Central Policy Debate Team Jack Liu and Shangyu Wu are the 2026 CHAMPIONS of the Harvard University National Speech and Debate Tournament! They are the first and only team from Arkansas to win the Harvard title, making Little Rock Central program history!
Liu and Wu were undefeated in seven preliminary debates, besting teams from Liberal Arts and Science Magnet (TX), Lindale HS (TX), Newark Tech (NJ), Georgetown Day School (DC), Johns Creek (GA), McDonough School (MD), to advance to the Double Octafinals Round (top 32), where they defeated The Avery Cooney School (IL). They defeated Bronx Science (NY) in the Octafinals (Sweet 16), to face Brooklyn Technical (NY) in Quarterfinals (Elite 8). They defeated McDonough (MD) in the Semifinals (Final 4) to face our program's friends and fierce competitors from Newark Science (NJ) in the Final Round. Liu and Wu emerged victorious in the Final Round on a 2-1 decision to be named the 2026 Harvard Policy Champions!
Liu and Wu have been ranked in the Top 10 debate teams in the country since the start of the season in early September. They have accumulated EIGHT bids to the Tournament of Champions in April. Liu and Wu were ranked #2 in the country based on ELO ratings going into Harvard. What is especially significant about their performance this season is that Liu and Wu are only JUNIORS. They head into the three major national championships focused and ready--poised to make late elimination rounds.
Liu and Wu are coached by Little Rock Central Director of Speech and Debate Dr. Rosie Valdez Block and program coaching assistants EC Powers (University of Kansas), Lawson Hudson (Baylor University), and Ryan Cavanaugh (University of Kansas).