Forensics Picks Up Awards in Illinois

 
Truman’s forensic union (speech and debate team) went to two different tournaments the weekend of Nov. 11-12.

Four debaters traveled to the Redbird Swing hosted by Illinois State University, and seven speech competitors went the City of Cedars/Forensic Roots tournament at McKendree University. Even when split at separate tournaments, the team continued its successful fall semester.  
 
At the Redbird Swing, the four debaters joined forces to take home third place debate sweepstakes, Nov. 12, and third place overall debate sweepstakes for the weekend. Senior debater Kelsey Barnes advanced to Lincoln-Douglas quarterfinals in the varsity division, Nov. 11. She was also named fifth best speaker in the division. First-year Maguire Radosevic also made it to elimination rounds, finishing as an octafinalist in the varsity division and was named second best speaker in the same division. On Nov. 12, Barnes returned to quarterfinals and Radosevic was named the overall top novice speaker.
 
At the City of Cedars/Forensic Roots, sophomore Austin Sopko and first-year Audrey Baker placed sixth in duo interpretation, Nov. 11. Baker also was named the top novice in persuasive speaking. The following day, Sopko and Baker placed fifth in duo. Baker placed sixth in persuasive speaking and was once again named top novice in the event. This means that Baker has qualified her persuasion to nationals, her third national qualification of the year. Baker was also named top novice in dramatic interpretation. Finally, first-year Travis Stahlman was named top novice in informative speaking.
 
Truman forensics will return for one more fall tournament with the Cameron Christmas Classic in Lawton, Okla., hosted by Cameron University the first weekend of December.
 
Participation in the forensics program is open to any Truman student in good standing, regardless of prior speech and debate experience. For more information on how to get involved, visit forensics.truman.edu or contact Christopher Outzen, director of forensics, or Craig Hennigan, assistant director of forensics.