KU debaters take second place at Houston tournament

Wed, 10/18/2023

Scott Harris

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas debate team of freshman Easton Logback, Overland Park, and sophomore Rita Pham, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, took second place at a tournament hosted by the University of Houston from Oct. 13-16. The pair defeated teams from the University of Houston in both the quarterfinals and the semifinals before losing to Harvard University in the championship debate.

University of Kansas debaters Rita Pham, Easton Logback at University of Houston tournament.

Schools competing in the tournament included Harvard University, the University of Houston, Kansas State University, Oakton Community College, the University of Oklahoma, Southern Nazarene University, the University of Texas, Trinity University and the U.S. Military Academy.

The KU team of Logback and Pham won five of six debates over two days in the preliminary rounds to advance to the single-elimination bracket. In the preliminary rounds they defeated teams from the U.S. Military Academy, Kansas State University, the University of Houston, and the University of Oklahoma. Their only preliminary loss was to the team from Harvard that went undefeated and won the tournament.

“We are very proud of Easton and Rita,” said Jesse Smith, assistant KU coach. “They worked incredibly hard to prepare for the tournament and were a joy to coach this weekend.”

Other members of the KU squad who competed at the Houston tournament included sophomore Averi Harker, Olathe; freshman Sasha Sharman, Spokane, Washington; freshman Lily Ren, Overland Park; and sophomore Luke Vu, Hooksett, New Hampshire.

“Easton and Rita had an outstanding performance at the tournament, and they should be very proud. I am also grateful for the hard work of coach Jesse Smith and the other members of the squad who helped them prepare for the elimination rounds at the tournament,” said Scott Harris, the David B. Pittaway Director of Debate at KU.

Photo: The University of Kansas debate team of freshman Easton Logback, Overland Park, and sophomore Rita Pham, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, took second place at a tournament hosted by the University of Houston from Oct. 13-16.