Truman Forensic Students Capture Awards 2,000 Miles Apart

Students from the Truman Forensic Union captured several awards at tournaments hosted by the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., Nov. 7-9, and Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., Nov. 8-9.

Freshman Andrew Grojean led a mostly-freshman contingent of novice competitors at the LE Norton Invitational at Bradley University with a second place finish in novice dramatic interpretation. This is Grojean’s second tournament posting a final-round finish in the event.

Meanwhile, in California, three Truman debaters reached elimination rounds in the Lincoln-Douglas debate at the Paul Winters Invitational. Sophomore Sarah Backhaus reached the quarterfinals of the tournament, while freshman Christian Johns and sophomore Barbara Gillard reached the sweet sixteen.

For Gillard and Backhaus these placements are fresh qualifications for the National Forensic Association Championships in April. Johns had previously qualified in September.

Additionally, the parliamentary debate duo of Backhaus and Johns reached the double-octafinal in open parliamentary debate.

In other competition, Backhaus reached semifinals of extemporaneous speaking.

Senior Christopher Girouard and junior Mark Buchheit represented Truman for the fourth consecutive year in the prestigious Pat Kennedy Memorial Round Robin. Buchheit and Girouard narrowly missed the semifinals of this year’s tournament.
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