Archive for Saturday, April 26, 2008
KU debaters ranked No. 1 in the nation
The Kansas University debate team is ranked No. 1 in the country for the second time in three years. From left is KU sophomore Dylan Quigley, of Wichita, junior Chris Stone, of Derby, graduate student and coach Jan Hovden, of Killdeer, N.D., senior Brett Bricker, of Wichita, professor and coach Scott Harris, freshman Mark Wilkins, of Topeka, and freshman Mathew Petersen, of Wichita.
April 26, 2008
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It's been a good year for student competitors at Kansas University.
KU had the Orange Bowl victory in January and the basketball national championship this month. And, of course, the KU debate team ended the year as No. 1 in the nation for the second time in three years.
While Kansas State is the only Kansas school that touts its debate titles with signs on I-70, it's the KU squad that finished better than everyone else this year. Led by coach Scott Harris, the traveling Jayhawk debaters competed in 22 tournaments.
"We have students who are willing to work hard and make a commitment," Harris said. "We have a program that has the depth needed to win competitions."
Though the Jayhawks did not win the year-end tournament, they scored highly enough throughout the year - including 10 first- or second-place finishes - to pick up the national title.
"I think we knew this was going to be a positive season because of the work we did during the summer," said senior debater Erum Shah.
Each summer the debate team gets a topic that will be explored throughout the year. This year's debate topic was the Middle East.
In order to address the topic, the team holds several meetings during the summer.
Harris said this success will help him recruit new debaters to the team.
"We were a deep squad this year, we'll be a talented squad next year, but how talented will depend on how many students come back," Harris said.
This year's squad is made entirely of students from Kansas. Harris said that should be a reflection of how strong the Kansas high school debate program is.
"Success sells itself," he said.
Team members are freshmen Andrew Jack of Manhattan, Mark Wilkins of Topeka, Sean Kennedy of Leawood and Kai Davis of Wichita; sophomores Christopher Thomas of Overland Park, Christopher Stone of Derby, and Dylan Quigley and Mathew Petersen of Wichita; juniors Mark Schaukowitch of Olathe and Ronnie Press and Joel Kasten of Wichita; and seniors Kyle Shernuk and Erum Shah of Overland Park, Nate Johnson of Manhattan, Brett Bricker of Wichita, and Andrew Jennings of Silver Lake.
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26 April 2008
at 7:17 a.m.
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Solomon (Anonymous) says…
What was the actual debate proposition? “Resolved….?”
26 April 2008
at 8:15 a.m.
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1wetwilly (Anonymous) says…
KU has a very broad scope of national champions ranging from the mentally acute, skilled communicators on the debate team to unintelligible, gang-banging thugs on the basketball team.
26 April 2008
at 8:33 a.m.
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temperance (Anonymous) says…
Congratulations!! The KU Debate team is a gem in the prairie. A lot of us in the community know what a big deal this is. Be proud!
26 April 2008
at 9:04 a.m.
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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…
It's all a PACK o' LIES!…kidding. Great job!
26 April 2008
at 12:13 p.m.
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anotherdayinparadise (Anonymous) says…
“KU has a very broad scope of national champions ranging from the mentally acute, skilled communicators on the debate team to unintelligible, gang-banging thugs on the basketball team.”Wow, that may be one of the more asinine, ignorant comments I've seen posted in a long time (and that's saying something)….
26 April 2008
at 12:38 p.m.
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booze_buds_03 (Anonymous) says…
1wetwilly is jealous god graced him with absolutely no athletic talent whatsoever.
26 April 2008
at 12:43 p.m.
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jonas (Anonymous) says…
It's good we have such a high quality group of master debaters representing us here at KU. /giggles like an adolescent troll
26 April 2008
at 3:32 p.m.
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jhawks1510 (Anonymous) says…
Anyone know the full rankings? I'd love to see all the Ivy League schools below us.
26 April 2008
at 4:21 p.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
“Anyone know the full rankings? I'd love to see all the Ivy League schools below us.”My guess is that it would, in fact, be all of them.
26 April 2008
at 6:06 p.m.
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1wetwilly (Anonymous) says…
anotherdayinparadise: Your are right. The comment should be that today's college basketball players are well known as moral role models and articulate, summa cum laude caliber students. Do you agree?
26 April 2008
at 10:37 p.m.
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jayhawker85 (Anonymous) says…
“gang-banging?” Seriously? What an ignorant remark. 1wetwilly deserves no merit beyond that.Sounds like someone is just jealous.
3 May 2008
at 11:03 a.m.
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OutlawJHawk (Anonymous) says…
Wow, last time I checked the debate team and the basketball team both were made up of KU students and Jayhawks; both were striving and achieved No. 1 finishes. Both teams bring recognition to OUR school. Get behind all of our teams. Unfortunately, you seem more interested in spreading your racist propoganda. Stop blogging and get back to your Clan meeting. By the way, every player on that basketball team is smarter and has more class than you ever will. Stop burning crosses and get a real life.
3 May 2008
at 11:07 a.m.
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OutlawJHawk (Anonymous) says…
My previous blog is entirely directed at 1wetwily.
26 May 2008
at 10 a.m.
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jafs (Anonymous) says…
I am glad to see some attention paid to academic achievement at KU.
26 May 2008
at 10:01 a.m.
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jafs (Anonymous) says…
Of course, no one is suggesting a parade.
26 May 2008
at 10:42 a.m.
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dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
I always want a parade. Parades are one of the reasons I love living in Lawrence. Some small towns still have them, but the cities don't seem to have many. Oh yeah, really big parades, but not many. I have had the most fun talking to fellow spectators and enjoying the creativeness involved. We should have a parade and include the HS debaters too. Maybe they wouldn't snub the football team.