12/07/09

Story by Peggy Graham

Debate team ranked 16th in U.S.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The Johnson County Community College debate team was ranked 16th in the nation in rankings released Nov. 16 by the Cross-Examination Debate Association.

Debate coach Terri Easley said this is the first time JCCC has been ranked in the top 20 in the past 10 years and may be the first time in the past 10 years a community college has been ranked in the top 20.

The CEDA rankings are based solely on tournament competitions. Teams receive points for prelim-round wins and elimination-round wins.

JCCC debate continues to hold the number one ranking among community college programs in the country. The 16th ranking puts JCCC ahead of such area schools as Missouri State University, Wichita State University, Kansas State University, University of Missoui-Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College and Emporia State University and ahead of Harvard, University of Texas and University of Southern California.

During the fall semester, the team traveled to five tournaments.  The team made five final-round appearances and earned three tournament championship titles at The Vegas Invitational, KCKCC and Emporia State University tournaments.

###