Jai Bansal | Founder

Jai graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in computer science. Jai debated public forum for four years, where he was ranked as high as 3rd in the nation. Jai also had an impressive debate career, qualifying to the Tournament of Champions twice, and reaching semi-finals at the Wake Forest tournament. Jai has served as a coach at both Millburn and Acton High School in MA. Jai has coached students to three consecutive championships of the NJ state tournament, along with strong finishes at Harvard and Yale.

Jai co-founded Atlas Debate in 2018

Maeher Khosla | Director

Maeher is a sophomore at Cornell University, studying Industrial Labor and Relations. Maeher debated public forum for four years, where she was a ranked #1 in the NJ district, and was a 3x semifinalist of the NJ state championship. Maeher also served as the captain of the debate team at Millburn high school, coaching multiple NJ State finalists and national award winners. Maeher has worked as an instructor at Atlas Debate for the past two years, and is excited to work with students again this year!

Andy Xu | Director

Andy is currently studying Computer Science at Harvey Mudd College. Andy debated Lincoln Douglas for four years, where he ranked top 50 in the nation, qualified to the Tournament of Champions, and was an award winner at Harvard and Yale. Andy was also the team president of Millburn Speech and Debate. Outside of debate, Andy is an avid researcher, being the youngest sole-author to be published in the prestigious journal IEEE, selected as one of the most influential high school researchers in the country, and placing 3rd in the world at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Andy is excited to work with students this summer!

Pranav Potrevu | Director

Pranav is currently studying Psychobiology on the pre-medicine track at UCLA. Pranav debated in Public Forum for four years, where he ranked Top 8 at Grand Nationals, and was an award winner at Harvard and Princeton tournaments. By the end of his career, he was ranked top 30 in the US. Pranav also served as the Vice President of his debate team.

He worked as an instructor for Atlas last year, and is excited to return as camp director this summer!

Gia Iyer | Director

Gia is currently studying international affairs as a student at George Washington University. Gia debated in Public Forum for four years, where she was a 2x Grand Nationals qualifier. She was also an award winner at the UPenn and Princeton tournaments. Overall, she ranked top 30 in the US in 2022.

Gia worked as an instructor for Atlas last year, and is excited to return as camp director this summer!

Pranav Mahesh

IU - Kelley School

Top 10 in the US. VP of debate team. Won the UPenn tournament, and won awards at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, NCFL, and NSDA.

Ben Oestericher

Georgetown University

#1 ranked Debater in the US. Champion of Yale, Glenbrooks, and Princeton tournaments. Finalist at Harvard and UPenn tournaments.

Carter Tegen

Georgia Tech

Most gold TOC bids of any team in the 2019 - 2020 season (with 8 bids). Top 10 ranked team in the US. 2nd place at the Harvard Tournament.

Vinay Durbhakula

Northwestern University

Debate team president. Qualified twice to the Tournament of Champions. Ranked top 30 in the US.

Eli Solomon

Harvard University

2-year Debate team captain. 3rd Place at Montville Invitational and Randolph Fall Classic in parli debate. NSDA Degree of Honor.

Selena Teng

Emory University

Champion of the Princeton Tournament and Semifinalist of the Harvard tournament. TOC qualifier. Vice President of the debate team.

Ethan Reiter

University of Chicago

Top 10 @ USA Nationals tournament. Captain at Livingston. Award winner at Yale, and Harvard tournaments. Published author in Science Research.

Somil Agarwal

University of Chicago

1st place @ NJ State Championship. PF Team Captain @ Millburn HS. Placed top 5 @ Harvard Tournament. Ranked top 20 in the US in 2019.

Akhil Khade

New York University

Ranked top 20 in the US. Award winner at UPenn, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. Finalist in state championship, 2x TOC qualifier.  Captain of debate team.

Amanda Huang

University of Chicago

#1 Ranked LD debater in NJ, top 30 ranked debater nationally. Placed top 3 at Valley and Strake Jesuit invitationals and top-16 at the Harvard invitational.

Yicong Wu

Cornell University

1st place @ Eastern Regional Championship. Cornell Travel Debate Team (#1 ranked US college travel debate team). Qualified to USA TOC.

John Manahan

Villanova University

Top 4 Ranked debater in the US. Champion of Grand Nationals, 4th Place finish at National Championship, two time qualifier to the Tournament of Champions.