Published January 29, 2008
The University of Wyoming debate team earned top honors at the Denver University Mile
High Classic tournament Jan. 25-27. The policy squad took the top spot in the region
among 22 other teams.
Jamie Piechura (Newcastle) and Kelly Nickel (Parker, Colo.) defeated teams from five
other universities to win the championship. Finishing behind them, Mike Bausch and
Tony Johnson (both of Centennial, Idaho) tied with fellow Cowboys Travis Beach (Castle
Rock, Colo.) and Isaac McBride (Boise, Idaho) in the semifinal bracket.
Bausch is the latest Cowboy to receive a top speaker award, receiving first in a division
of 44 policy debaters at the tournament. Piechura received third speaker, Nickel sixth
and Johnson seventh.
"The weekend couldn't have gone much better," says Director of Forensics Matt Stannard.
"I'm just amazed at our depth. We had a lot of solidarity with teams helping each
other out, both by preparing arguments together and by defeating other teams and clearing
the path for Jamie and Kelly to get an excellent win in finals."
