KU News Release

KU debate team takes second place in Harvard University tournament Oct. 28-30

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas debate team of Andrew Jennings and Brett Bricker took second place at the prestigious Harvard University Debate Tournament, held Oct. 28-30 in Cambridge, Mass. Tournament participants were a select field of 62 of the best intercollegiate debate teams in the country.

“We were very excited to do so well at the toughest tournament of the year,” said Scott Harris, KU debate coach. “This was the best performance by a KU team at Harvard in 20 years.”

Over the first two days, Bricker and Jennings won debates over Stanford University, University of Vermont, Missouri State University, the University of Southern California and two teams from Northwestern University.

After two days, the top 16 teams in the field qualified for single elimination debates on Oct. 30. Bricker and Jennings reached the elimination rounds as the fourth seeded team. In the round of 16 they defeated the University of Michigan on a 3-0 decision; each elimination round is decided by three judges. In the quarterfinals they defeated the University of California-Berkeley 3-0. In the semifinals they defeated Idaho State University, coached by KU alumnus Sarah Partlow, 3-0. In the final debate they lost a 2-1 split decision to the University of Oklahoma.

Two other KU teams competed at the Harvard tournament. Lindsey Lathrop and Nate Johnson won five of their eight debates and finished 20th, just missing out on qualifying for the elimination debates. Jon Wright and Ronnie Press won four of their eight debates, finishing in the top half of the field.

KU student debaters at the Harvard tournament are listed below by name, hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names and high school.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66213
Lindsey Lathrop, senior in political science with a minor in African and African-American studies, daughter of Robert and Kelly Lathrop; Blue Valley Northwest High School.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Nate Johnson, junior in political science and pre-law, son of Ron and Betty Johnson; Manhattan High School.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67206
Brett Bricker, junior in mathematics, son of Gary and Norma Bricker; Wichita High School Southeast.

Ronnie Press, freshman in political science, son of Arthur and Judith Press; Wichita High School Southeast.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Silver Lake 66539
Andrew Jennings, junior in political science, son of Joe and Kathy Jennings, Silver Lake Junior-Senior High School.

From Topeka 66614
Jon Wright, senior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis) and political science, son of Jeffrey and Sonya Wright; Washburn Rural High School.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.