Congress Coaches

Equality in Forensics is home to a large roster of qualified volunteer coaches from across the country and the world! These coaches are responsible for our team coaching sessions, free lectures & events, and many of our other free resources.

Nicholas Ostheimer

Nick served as president of his debate team for 5 years, founded his high school team in freshman year, and has since led it to achieving NSDA charter chapter status. He was an NSDA House Finalist in 2023 and a two-time TOC finalist in 2023 and 2024. Nick has also champed natcirc tournaments such as the UK Season Opener (twice), Blue Key (twice), Nova Titan, and Sunvite. He is currently ranked #1 in the country in congressional debate by NSDA points. Nick has coached students to finals of Middle School Harvard, UK TOC, and the FL state championship in congressional debate. 

Alisha Hassanali

Alisha has been involved with speech and debate for six years. She was honored to be one of the few people to have won the California State Championship twice (2022 in congressional debate, 2024 as PO). As a freshman, she founded her school's first congressional debate team and coached it to be one of the most successful congress programs in Southern California. Alisha also placed third at TOC and broke to finals twice at NSDA Nationals. Now, she is a student at UCLA and loves giving back to an activity that she credits with shaping her into the thinker, speaker, and go-getter that she is today. 

Owen Casey

Owen is a rising Senior at Packer, where he has helped build the team from the ground up. Most notably, he championed Yale, finalled Harvard and NSDA Nationals (Senate), t6ed other bid tournaments and NY states twice, and reached far into elimination rounds at Emory, Bronx (2x), Princeton (2x), Harvard (2x), NSDA (2x), and more. He has ranked at the top of the TOC scoreboard (with 8 bids in his first year alone) and first in NSDA rankings for New York. He has additionally been invited to the Durham, Harvard, and EIF Round Robins. As a coach he helps students find their unique voices in debate rounds and in real life. Outside of debate, Owen can be found spending time with friends, going on walks, watching SNL weekend updates, leading Earth Club and Model UN, and editing for his school newspaper.

Swathi Bodduluri

Swathi Bodduluri is a rising senior at Pennsbury High School. She has served as the Captain of the Speech and Debate team for the past three years while competing in Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking. Over the course of her career, Swathi has placed 4th at NSDA Nationals, 5th at Yale, 6th at Glenbrooks, 4th at the Barkley Forum (Emory), and 5th at Harvard. She has championed tournaments like UPenn, Bronx, and PA State, as well as receiving a Harvard Round Robin invite! As a coach, she believes that debaters should make arguments that resonate with them and embrace their individuality to succeed. When she’s not debating, she's reading, rowing, or with her friends. She can't wait to meet everyone!

Omkar Marathe

Omkar Marathe is a senior at Fremd High School, where he serves as Captain of the Debate Team. He's been competing in congress for 3 years. Starting his nats career in his junior year, Omkar made semifinals at Glenbrooks, got 3rd at Sunvite, 6th at Harvard, and 6th at TOC. Outside of debate, he does quizbowl and enjoys reading and going on walks with his dog.

Grace Jackson

Grace has been involved in debate for three years and serves as the captain of the Hagerty Debate Team. In her time competing in congress she has placed 6th at NCFL Nationals, 9th in NSDA Senate Finals, Finaled Emory , 3rd at EIF round robin and semis at Yale, Sunvite and Blue Key . She served as a coach to the advanced lab at the EIF summer camp and private coach to high schoolers. Outside of debate shes a gym rat who loves going out with friends, beach days, listening to Lauryn Hill, volunteering in her community and trying new recipes. As a coach she emphasizes simplicity, how to keep people engaged and most importantly bringing your personality into round. A debaters greatest strength is their unique self, as a coach she hopes to help every debate realize that and unlock their full potential. She’s super excited to work with this years talent!

Matthew Noriega

Matthew Noriega is a student at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania studying finance and management. As a congressional debater, he competed in Semifinals at Nationals and the Tournament of Champions, as well as attaining the second-most TFA State points in Texas in his senior year. Since then, he’s served as a parliamentarian at TOC and is currently a varsity competitor on the University of Pennsylvania‘s parliamentary debate team.

Sameer Khan

Sameer is a senior at PCDS and has been doing debate for four years. He has made final rounds at tournaments like Harvard, Bronx, and the TOC. He loves coaching in many different fields like club basketball clinics, tutoring, and debate. He can’t wait to get started with Equality in Forensics!!

Emilie Fann

Emilie has been involved in Congressional debate for 5 years, competing at both the middle and high school level on the Illinois and National circuits. After peaking in 8th grade (not exclusive to debate), she has most notably championed the Harvard Round Robin, placed 4th at Yale, 8th at Harvard, and finaled at Glenbrooks. She has also semifinaled at several other national tournaments like TOC and NSDA Nationals. As a part of the Illinois All-State Team, she has placed first at nearly every single state tournament. When she’s not yapping in one form or another, she’s most likely found playing Tetris, getting sweet treats, or writing her musings.

Anish Chandran

Anish, a senior, has been involved in speech and debate for 6 years, competing in Congressional Debate. As president of his school’s debate program, his most notable achievements include Finalist at Harvard, Semifinalist at Nats, 3 time national qualifier, and State Runner up in Ohio. 

C.J. Getting

C.J. a two-year captain of the Naperville Central debate team. He's currently ranked #1 in Illinois and top 50 nationally in Congressional Debate by NSDA points, having made semifinal rounds at Yale and the TOC. He also serves on both the NSDA's Student Leadership Council and World Schools Debate Education Program, as well as working as the Operations Director of Equality in Forensics.

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