KU News Release

April 21, 2008
Contact: Scott Harris, debate coach, (785) 864-9878.

KU debaters finish No. 1 in nation for total points in varsity competitions

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas debate team ended the 2007-08 season ranked No. 1 in the country in the National Debate Tournament varsity rankings.

This is the second time in the past three years the KU debate team ended the year on top of the national varsity rankings.

“The rankings are based on the cumulative performance of the entire squad over the course of the season, including the end-of-the-year national tournaments,” said Scott Harris, debate coach.

Harris explained that the final national rankings are distinct from the end-of-the-year national championship tournaments. The national rankings include points earned by teams at the National Debate Tournament and the Cross Examination Debate Association national tournament as well as at other tournaments during the season.

Though Wake Forest University won the National Debate Tournament, their points earned over the season left them in fourth place in the final varsity rankings. Towson University won the CEDA tournament, but they finished 26th in the final varsity rankings. The final debate rankings are not based on judges’ subjective votes but on a formula of points earned for wins over the course of the season.

“The rankings are a measure of the talent and depth of the entire squad,” Harris said. “This is one of the most talented and hardest working squads we have had at KU in my 17 years as coach.”

During this academic year, 16 KU debaters competed at 22 tournaments throughout the country. KU debaters finished first or second at 10 tournaments during the season, including the Cross Examination Debate Association national tournament and tournaments hosted by Harvard and Dartmouth.

KU finished the year with 515 points, ahead of Emory University’s 509 points and Harvard’s 481 points. Other schools in the top 10 varsity rankings were Wake Forest University, fourth; Dartmouth College, fifth; Binghampton University, sixth; Northwestern University, seventh; Michigan State University, eighth; University of California-Berkeley, ninth; and Missouri State University, 10th.

The varsity rankings are based on points earned by teams competing in open varsity level tournaments. The NDT also has an overall ranking based on total points accumulated including varsity, junior varsity and novice. KU is ranked third in the final overall rankings behind Liberty University and Binghamton University.

Communication studies graduate students assisting Harris this year are doctoral students Jan Hovden, Killdeer, N.D.; Michael Souders, Manhattan; Phillip Samuels, Emporia; Sarah Topp, Pelican Rapids, Minn., and Ben Warner, Price, Utah; and master’s degree student student Lindsey Shook, Tulsa, Okla.

Debate team members whose efforts contributed to the No. 1 ranking are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents and high school attended.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66049 and Manhattan
Andrew Jack, freshman in chemical engineering, son of Steven Jack, Lawrence, and Pamela Jack, Manhattan; Manhattan High School.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66206
Sean Kennedy, freshman in linguistics, son of Chris and Joan Kennedy; Shawnee Mission East High School.

From Olathe 66062
Mark Schaukowitch, junior in communication studies and political science, son of Cathy Schaukowitch; St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park.

From Overland Park 66213
Kyle Shernuk, senior in East Asian languages and cultures preparing to study medicine, son of Kurt and Pamela Shernuk; Blue Valley Northwest High School.

Christopher Thomas, sophomore in political science, son of Denise Stock; Blue Valley Northwest High School.

From Overland Park 66224
Erum Shah, senior in political science, daughter of Pir and Saieda Shah; Blue Valley Northwest High School.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Nate Johnson, senior in philosophy, political science and psychology, son of Ron and Betty Johnson; Manhattan High School.

From Manhattan 66503 and Lawrence
Andrew Jack. See DOUGLAS COUNTY

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Derby 67037
Christopher Stone, sophomore in political science, son of Douglas and Gloria Stone; Derby High School.

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

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

From Wichita 67207
Joel Kasten, junior in political science, son of Roger and Leah Kasten; Wichita High School Southeast.

From Wichita 67208 and 67218
Dylan Quigley, sophomore in philosophy, son of Tim Quigley (67218) and Trix Niemberger (67208); Wichita High School East.

From Wichita 67218
Kai Davis, freshman in political science, son of John Davis; Wichita High School Southeast.

Mathew Petersen, sophomore in economics, son of Laura Petersen-Miller and Virgil Miller; Wichita High School East.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Silver Lake 66539 and Topeka 66614
Andrew Jennings, senior in political science, son of Joe Jennings, Silver Lake, and Kathy Tallmon, Topeka; Silver Lake Junior-Senior High School.

From Topeka 66604 and 66610
Mark Wilkins, freshman in political science, son of Brent Wilkins (66610) and Janis Hinkle (66604); Washburn Rural High School.

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