Debate Team Has
Strongest Finish in Decades

The Broncho debate team ended the year on an extremely high note. The squad managed to clear teams at all three of the national tournaments they attended. This is a feat the team has not managed since 1987.

At the National Junior Division Debate Tournament, the team of Freshmen Michael Ely and Emily Sullivan managed to compile a preliminary record of 4 wins and 2 losses which qualified them for the quarter-finals. In the quarters the team lost to the University of Texas at San Antonio, becoming the first novice team to make it to the elimination rounds of the tournament in several years.

The next national tournament the team attended was the open invitation Cross Examination Debate Association national debate tournament held at Wichita State University. The team of senior Scott Ketchum and sophomore Stacy Spomer competed against some of the finest students in the country. The team amassed a preliminary record of 6 wins and 2 losses, which qualified them for the elimination rounds. In the round of 64, the team was defeated by a team from the University of Texas. Ketchum was also honored by receiving awards as and 1st Team Academic All American and All American Debate Team. He was the first UCO debater to receive these honors in several years.

At the final national tournament, The National Debate Tournament (NDT), hosted by California State University at Fullerton, the Bronchos were represented by the team of junior Andy Casey and freshman Jack Ewing. Only 78 teams in the United States are able to qualify to compete in this tournament. This year marked the 15th time that UCO qualified to compete in this tournament over its 62 year history. The team achieved a preliminary record of 5 wins and 3 losses recording wins over the University of Georgia, Wayne State University, California State University at Berkeley, and rival Fort Hays State University. The team advanced to the elimination rounds of the NDT for the first time since Martin Glendenning and Drew Duke did so in 1987. This was a tremendous accomplishment for the entire team. The team of Casey and Ewing was defeated by the eventual national champions from Wake Forest University.

Overall, this marked the strongest finish by the team in over 20 years. The Broncho debate team is still on the rise and has its sights set even higher for the 2008-9 debate season.