Call Michael Heins and Clayton Zak the “Dynamic Duo” of debate.

Sophomores Heins and Zak comprise Mehlville Senior High School’s debate team. Even though they number only two, this team is off to a great start.

The two Mehlville debaters recently put their skills to the test for the first time ever at the Greater St. Louis Speech League event at Parkway North High School.

Competing against varsity teams in the controversial debate category, Heins and Zak were challenged to debate whether or not the United States should comply with U.N. peacekeeping operations in the Middle East. The Mehlville boys did pretty well, according to the judges, as they earned first place in their first debate.

Mark Gulath, Mehlville speech and debate team coach, is extremely proud of the two.

“This is quite an accomplishment,” Gulath stated in a district news release. “My students competed against the established schools, against kids with much more experience, and came away with a first-place finish. This year will be a great learning experience for them.”