KU News Release

Two KU debate teams make finals at Wake Forest tournament Nov. 15-17

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas debate team of seniors Brett Bricker of Wichita and Nate Johnson of Manhattan took second place from a field of 140 of the best debate teams in the country in a tournament hosted by Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Wake Forest tournament, which took place Nov. 15-17, wraps up a successful fall semester for the KU debate program. KU teams have won three tournaments and finished second at three tournaments. The squad is ranked No. 1 in the country in the National Debate Tournament varsity and overall rankings.

Bricker and Johnson won 10 consecutive debates over three days to advance to the finals of the tournament before losing to Northwestern University. The top 32 teams at the tournament advanced to a single elimination bracket. Bricker and Johnson advanced to elimination rounds with a 6-0 record. In the elimination rounds they defeated the University of Georgia, the University of Southern California and Emory University to advance to the final four. In the semifinals they defeated Harvard University before facing Northwestern University in the finals. The Bricker-Johnson team had defeated Northwestern in the finals of the Harvard tournament two weeks ago.

Christopher Stone, Derby sophomore, and Mark Wilkins, Topeka freshman, were 5-1 in preliminary rounds and finished in 15th place at the tournament. They lost to the University of Southern California in elimination rounds.

Eric Morris, head debate coach at Missouri State University and a former assistant debate coach at KU, was recognized as the national debate coach of the year at the tournament. Morris received a doctorate in communication studies from KU in fall 2004. KU debate coach Scott Harris won the award in 2006.

KU debaters who competed at the Wake Forest tournament are listed below by hometown, year in school, major, parents’ names and 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.

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.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66604 and 66610
Mark Wilkins, freshman in political science, son of Brent Wilkins (66610) and Janis Hinkle (66604); 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.