The Kansas University debate team earned its first-ever first place in the annual Harvard University tournament.

The team, comprised of Brett Bricker, Wichita senior, and Nate Johnson, Manhattan senior, competed in a tournament that included the best 80 teams in the country. The tournament was Oct. 31 to Nov. 3.

“Winning the Harvard tournament is an incredible accomplishment,” KU debate coach Scott Harris said. “It is the most difficult tournament in the country to win.”

The victory gave the KU debaters a No. 1 overall ranking in the National Debate Tournament and Cross-Examination Debate Association.

Two more KU teams finished among the top 25 at the Harvard tournament. They were Chris Stone, Derby sophomore, and Mark Wilkins, Topeka freshman; and Sean Kennedy, Leawood sophomore, and Dylan Quigley, Wichita junior.

Stone also was third-place individual speaker at the tournament.