UK Debate Team Finishes Season Strong at Nationals

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 14, 2016) – Completing one of the most successful years in the history of the University of Kentucky Debate Team, the team recently competed at the 70th National Debate Tournament at the University of Binghamton, part of the State University of New York system.

For the first time in school history, three partnerships from the UK Debate Team - Donald Grasse and Theo Noparstak; Ava Vargason and Jonathan Geldof; and Marcel Roman and Holmes Hampton - reached the elimination rounds. Emory University was the only other school to match that accomplishment.

Grasse and Noparstak reached the elite eight after finishing the preliminary rounds as the sixth seed at the tournament. It was UK's first appearance in the elite eight since 2009. The eventual champion was Harvard.

"This year was about the seniors," said David Arnett, director of the UK Debate Team. "This is a group who took a chance on Kentucky when we were rebuilding from the ground up. Four years later we’re a top five program. What can you even say about that? I’m extremely thankful to have been part of it and couldn’t be more proud of the team."

Later this month the team will host the 45th High School Tournament of Champions at UK. More than 1,000 participants from 35 states and three countries are expected to compete.

The 2015-2016 UK Debate Team members are:

Amar Adam, an economics and political science double major

Cameron Baller, an environmental and sustainability studies major

Donald Grasse, a political science and international studies double major

Jonathan Geldof, a history and political science double major

Holmes Hampton, a political science major

Calen Martin, a political science major

Theo Noparstak, a political science major

Jacinda Rivas, a political science and philosophy double major

Marcel Roman, a political science and international studies double major

Ava Vargason, a chemical engineering major

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu