UK Debate Prepares to Build on Historically Successful Season

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 15, 2016) — The University of Kentucky Debate Team arrives on campus a week before classes begin for their annual work retreat. It is an intensive weeklong work session that involves 12-hour days packed full of lectures, research and practices.

The stakes are large for the current team.

The 2015-16 squad completed one of the most successful seasons in school history. Kentucky was in the elite eight, or better, at almost every national tournament they attended.

In addition, three two-person units (debate teams face off in pairs) reached the elimination rounds of the National Debate Tournament for the first time in school history.

The director of the program, Dave Arnett, put the success of the program in perspective.

“The last six years have been about rebuilding the program. Last year we were a top 10 team with the likes of Harvard, Berkeley and Northwestern,” Arnett said. “With a system in place, and another incredible recruiting class, we are poised to be in the conversation for a national championship regularly.”

For the first time in school history, the team has recruited two high school national champions in the same class. Anthony Trufanov from Glenbrook North High School in Chicago won a national championship as a junior. He will debate with Dan Bannister, from Highland Park High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota, who won the prestigious Tournament of Champions, hosted by UK in April.

Trufanov and Bannister are joined by a number of other impressive recruits, including Maria Sanchez from Northside High School in Chicago. Sanchez was selected as the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues Debater of the Year.

In addition to its competitive aspirations, Kentucky Debate has been focusing on a number of other projects including a diversity initiative, as well as outreach with international debate organizations.

“Kentucky Debate is focused on a multitude of objectives,” Arnett explained. “We want to be a top 10 program, but we also want to strive to fulfill our commitment to our students and community by providing unique growth opportunities. We believe that debate is a powerful tool that can change people’s lives and outreach will continue to be an absolute priority for us.”

Over the past few years the UK Debate Team has worked closely with urban debate leagues across the country to help expand its recruiting base and provide opportunities to exceptionally talented students.

The team, housed in the College of Communication and Information, will open its competitive season at Georgia State University in mid-September.

You can follow Kentucky Debate at https://ci.uky.edu/UKDebate.

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