This past weekend marked another milestone for the Forensics Program, as 19 of its finest student competitors turned in superb performances at two major tournaments: the “Ruth A. Wilcox Forensics Invitational Tournament” at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio, and “The Missouri Mule Invitational Tournament” at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri.

The Individual Events Team, led by Professor Matthew Warner, had five tournament champions at Marietta, featuring an outstanding individual performance by junior Andrew Dykstal. Andrew had first place finishes in Extemporaneous Speaking, After Dinner Speaking, Editorial Impromptu, and Rhetorical Criticism. In the first three of these events, Andrew succeeded in earning the coveted “picket fence,” that is, straight 1st place finishes from every single judge that saw him this weekend. For this to happen once in an entire season is a major accomplishment, but for it to happen three times at one tournament is astounding! Junior Amanda Lack also joined in on the fun, earning a 1st place finish in Informative Speaking. In all, 9 out of 9 total students combined to get 18 events into the final rounds.

For the third time this season, the Debate Team, led by Dr. Matthew Doggett, was the top program at a debate tournament, winning overall debate sweepstakes at the University of Central Missouri. This means that Hillsdale Debate has taken the top spot at each of the three tournaments they attended where overall sweepstakes awards were given, a remarkable feat. Sophomore (and first year competitor) Mary Coran broke out in a big way, earning the Top Speaker award in the Novice Division of Lincoln Douglas Debate. Mary and her partner, senior Eliot Geiser, took 2nd place overall in Open Parliamentary Debate. Hillsdale also had three of the top four speaker awards in Open L-D, and contributed three of the eight total students who advanced to out-rounds. All 10 students contributed points toward Hillsdale's sweepstakes victory, and five of those earned individual recognition as well.

Hillsdale College was well-represented on the competitive speaking circuit this weekend, and both teams in the Forensics program had a huge weekend! Detailed information on individual student performances is contained below. The next competition for both teams will be at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, on Nov. 19th and 20th. The Forensics Program is part of the Department of Theatre and Speech and is directed by Dr. James M. Brandon.

THE DETAILS:

The Missouri Mule Invitational Tournament” at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Overall:

Debate Sweepstakes Winner

Lincoln-Douglas Debate (Novice):
1st place speaker in Novice LD- Mary Coran

Lincoln-Douglas Debate (Open):
2nd place Speaker in Open LD- Ian Blodger

3rd place Speaker in Open LD- Lauren Holt

4th place Speaker in Open LD- Bryan Brooks

2 Quarterfinalists in Open LD- Ian Blodger and Lauren Holt

Semifinalist in Open LD- Bryan Brooks


Parliamentary Debate:

Finalist in Open Parli. (2nd place)- Elliot Geiser and Mary Coran


“Ruth A. Wilcox Forensics Invitational Tournament” at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio

Overall:

Nine students broke 18 different pieces to finals

Extemporaneous Speaking:

1st: Andrew Dykstal – Straight 1s

2nd: Nadia Spotts

4th: Josh Andrew


After Dinner Speaking:

1st: Andrew Dykstal –Straight 1s

4th: Max Kleber

5th: Robert Ramsey

Editorial Impromptu:

1st: Andrew Dykstal – Straight 1s

3rd: Josh Andrew


Rhetorical Criticism

1st: Andrew Dykstal

5th: Ian Fury

Informative Speaking:

1st place: Amanda Lack

Prose Interpretation:

2nd: Nadia Spotts

4th: Amanda Lack

5th: Blake Faulkner

6th: Andrew Dykstal


Impromptu Speaking:

2nd: Josh Andrew


Program Oral Interpretation:

3rd: Amanda Lack

Persuasion:

5th: Kirby Hartley