UK Debate Team Moves to Nationals

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 4, 2011) — The University of Kentucky Intercollegiate Debate team traveled to Emory University in Atlanta Feb. 25-27 to compete in the SEC Debate Tournament and the National Debate Tournament (NDT) Southeast Regional Qualifier.

Senior Sohin Gautam and freshman Christian Steckler, who make up the varsity debate team, competed against SEC schools Georgia and Vanderbilt and non-SEC schools Louisville, Wake Forest, Emory, Samford, and West Georgia to attempt to qualify for the National Debate Tournament, which will be held at the University of Texas-Dallas in late March. Gautam and Steckler earned a 4-2 win-loss record, securing UK a spot to compete at nationals. Six teams qualified in total from the Southeast Debate District.

The UK team also brought two novice teams to the tournament, all receiving overall speaker awards. Freshman Nicole Schladt received the Top Overall Speaker award, freshman Alejandra Zavala was named Ninth Overall Speaker, sophomore Luke Glaser was named Thirteenth Overall Speaker, and freshman Zach Schinall was named Fifteenth Overall Speaker.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, (859) 257-1754 ext. 254; Jenny.Wells@uky.edu