Year after year, the Bronx Science Public Forum Debate team is among the strongest teams nationally, and naturally, some of the strongest debaters in the nation come out of Bronx Science. Over the past four years, one person in particular who has raised the bar time and time again is Daniel Oestericher ’18, a senior who with the help of his partner David Lipkin ’18 was able to rank fourth nationally throughout his time on the team.

Oestreicher’s accompaniments cannot be understated–his four tournament victories and countless top placements have solidified him as one of the greatest debaters to ever walk the halls of our school.

Despite all his success debating in high school, Daniel does not plan on debating in college. However, his legacy will be carried on in the form of his younger brother, Ben Oestreicher ’20. Although he is only a sophomore, Ben has made massive progress debate-wise since he first joined the team last fall.

In fact, Ben has gone from trying to follow in his brothers footsteps, to eventually debating alongside him at multiple tournaments this year. “When I first joined the team, my brother was not only a role model to me but a mentor. I would watch him do well, tournament after tournament, and try my best to mimic his style. The first time we debated together was in the fall of 2017, here I felt like I not only learned a lot about my brother as a debater but myself as well,” said Ben.

Although not as experienced, or as yet accomplished as his older brother, Ben has definitely impressed many teammates and tournament-goers. “His growth from last year is something else. The more he debates, the more of his brother I see in him,” said Jacob Beck ’18, who is Daniel’s fellow debate captain and has been his teammate for the past four years.

“When I first joined the team, my brother was not only a role model to me but a mentor.”

But no one is more aware, and more proud of Ben’s growth than his own brother. “Ben has impressed me so much over the past few years, I really cannot put my praise into words. He is debating at a level equal far beyond his age,” said Daniel.

Although one of the brother’s career is coming to an end, the other’s is just beginning; And just as his brother before him, it seems that the sky’s the limit.

Daniel Oestericher ‘18 and his younger brother Ben Oestreicher ’20 have dominated the debate circuit over the past two years.