ESU debate team ranked seventh in the nation

The Emporia State University Debate team is currently ranked seventh in the nation after its first three tournaments, according to the National Debate Tournament Overall points system.

The team has one second place finish, two third place finishes, a fourth place finish and numerous speaker awards through its first three tournament outings.

“We're honored to be ranked so high this early," said Ken DeLaughder, director of debate. “We worked hard over the summer to make sure that we could have some early success, and that is paying off. The challenge now is to continue that success and make a run at the schools who are ahead of us, especially the University of Kansas , who is our

main rival and we are just a good tournament behind.”

The National Debate Tournament system awards points for the performance of a school's best two teams across all divisions at a tournament. The more successful the record and higher the finish, the more points are awarded to a school. The best six tournaments are kept as the team's final score at the end of the competition year in April.

“I think it says a lot about the caliber of students at ESU, that we are ranked higher at this point in the season than schools like Dartmouth, Harvard, University of Michigan and University of Oklahoma,” said Joelle Japser, a freshman from Queen Creek, Arizona. “That is why I chose Emporia State .”

“The kids have a new motto going around the squad room, start here - beat anyone,” DeLaughder said. “We are going to have to work hard to stay ahead of the good schools behind us.”

The Hornets will take time out of their travel schedule to host the 50th Anniversary George R.R. Pflaum Debate Tournament this weekend on the ESU campus. The tournament is named in honor of Dr. Pflaum, former director of forensics at ESU.

Over 70 teams from all across the nation will be represented at the tournament which runs October 15-17. A banquet will be held to honor competitors attending the 50th Pflaum on Saturday.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>