KU debate team takes second, third at season opener Sept. 16-18 in Iowa

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas debate team began the 2006-07 season by taking second and third place in varsity competition Sept. 16-18 at the University of Northern Iowa Ulrich Season Opener Debate Tournament in Cedar Falls.

In addition, five KU debaters were recognized among the top 20 exceptional speakers in individual speaker award competition at the tournament.

The varsity team of Lindsay Lathrop, Overland Park senior, and Nate Johnson, Manhattan junior, won seven preliminary rounds before losing in finals to a team from Missouri State University. The team of Joel Kasten and Dylan Quigley, both Wichita freshmen, finished third with a 6-2 record in preliminaries and a loss to a Missouri State team in semifinal rounds.  

The five KU exceptional speaker awards and placings went to Lathrop, fourth; Johnson, seventh; Quigley, 10th; Wright, 15th; and Kasten, 19th.

Forty-three teams from 15 schools competed in the varsity division, and 13 teams from eight schools participated in junior varsity division competition. Missouri State won the tournament overall. Scott Harris, assistant specialist in communication studies, is beginning his 16th year as KU’s debate coach.

In elimination rounds, KU teams defeated teams from Baylor University, Missouri State, Wichita State University, University of Miami-Ohio and University of Wyoming. In preliminary rounds, teams KU defeated included Kansas State University, University of Iowa and University of Texas-Dallas.
    
KU student debaters are listed below by name, hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names and high school.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Olathe 66062
Mark Schaukowitch, sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, son of Cathy Schaukowitch; St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

From Overland Park 66213
Lindsay Lathrop, senior in political science with a minor in African and African-American studies, daughter of Robert and Kelly Lathrop; Blue Valley Northwest High School.

Kyle Shermuk, junior in pre-medicine, son of Kurt and Pamela Shermuk; Blue Valley Northwest High School.

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

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

MCPHERSON COUNTY
From McPherson 67460
Bryan Jordan, freshman in philosophy, son of Dale and Ann Jordan; McPherson High School.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Nate Johnson, junior in political science and pre-law, son of Ron and Betty Johnson; Manhattan High School.

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

From Wichita 67206
Ronnie Press, freshman in political science, son of Arthur and Judith Press; Wichita High School Southeast.

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

From Wichita 67230
Ellena Park, freshman in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, daughter of Sonha Park; Andover High School.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66614
Jon Wright, senior in political science and journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis), son of Jeffrey and Sonya Wright; Washburn Rural High School.