Debate team ends season on top

Friday, May 2, 2008

The Kansas debate team didn’t need a miracle to get to No. 1. Hard work year round was enough to propel them to the top of season-ending rankings.

The team finished its season on top of the rankings for the second time in three years by earning more points at debate tournaments than other universities.

“It’s neat to be part of a program that’s that good,” said Kyle Shernuk, Overland Park senior and member of the debate team. “It’s a nice reward for having worked hard, and it looks good for the school, too.”

Shernuk said the team had to work hard from September to March to get to the top.

“We’re very proud of achievements and work that we put in,” said debate coach Scott Harris. “We’re very pleased.”

Brent Bricker, Wichita senior and debate team member, said that he and his debate partner put in 40 to 50 hours a week practicing. Their practice included researching topics and participating in speech and debate drills.

“It’s good to have something to show for all the hard work we put into debate,” Bricker said.

Bricker and Shernuk both said that this year’s national No. 1 meant more to them because it was their senior years.

debateBB

National Debate Tournament Varsity Top 10

1. Kansas 2. Emory 3. Harvard 4. Binghamton 5. Wake Forest 6. Dartmouth 7. Northwestern 8. Michigan State 9. California 10. Missouri State

“It means a lot more to me this year because I had a more influential role,” Bricker said. “This year my partner and I did a lot of the work, so it was a little more fulfilling.”

During the season, the team won first place at four tournaments and took second at six others. The tournaments featured anywhere from more than 170 to fewer than 30 teams.

Wake Forest won the National Debate Tournament, but Kansas still had more overall points at the end of the season. Wake Forest took fifth in the final rankings. Harris explained that the ranking were based on a point system that calculated total victories, size of tournaments and the quality of competition at those tournaments.

Shernuk said the team paid attention to the rankings during the season.

“We sent out lots of teams each weekend to make sure we stayed on the top,” Shernuk said.

Though Shernuk, Bricker and other seniors will be leaving the team, Shernuk hinted that the team could have a strong showing again next year.

“The freshman class was strong this year, and they contributed a lot,” Shernuk said.

— Edited by Jared Duncan

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