Contact: University Relations (517) 355-2281, or hodack@msu.edu

1/30/2001

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State University debate team kicked off 2001 with some tough talking at the prestigious Kansas City Swing, a series of debates held Jan. 3-10.

The tournament included two separate invitationals hosted by the University of Missouri-Kansas City and William Jewell College.

MSU debaters Austin Carson, a junior from Grand Rapids, and Calum Matheson, a sophomore from East Lansing, won the tournament at the University of Missouri on a 2-1 decision over the University of Texas.

Two other debaters, Greta Stahl, a freshman from Shelby Township, and Dave Strauss, a freshman from East Lansing, were semifinalists.

The success continued at William Jewell College where MSU advanced three separate teams to the final elimination rounds.

"These wins feel really good," said Jason Trice, director of debate. "We've gone to the finals and lost before. It feels good to win and know we are on the right path, which gives us confidence."

Three MSU debaters also finished among the top 10 speakers, with Carson placing eighth, Matheson seventh and Stahl sixth.

In addition, the team received third place in the Sweepstakes Awards, which are given to programs for the most overall wins during the week.

"We've got a really young team this year, and we've had a tremendous amount of success," Trice said.

Nine of the 11 students who participated in the Kansas City Swing are freshmen. Despite the young squad, Trice believes the team has the potential to be national champions within the next couple years.

"Our coaching staff here at MSU is great," Trice said. "We really try to teach the young recruits to be the best that they can be. Each tournament is a building block to the nationals and gives us the experience we need."