Forensics Experiences Success at Bradley
The Forensics team competed in the 63rd Annual L.E. Norton Memorial tournament at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., Nov-6-7, where it enjoyed its most competitive success at the tournament in approximately five years.
With a theme this year of “The Norton of Oz,” the tournament is known for its creative events. Considered one of the toughest competitions of the regular season, it drew 47 schools from across the nation.
“In some ways, this tournament is tougher than the National Championship Tournament,” commented Kristi Scholten, director of forensics. “We squeeze into one weekend what Nationals does in a week.”
Truman took six speech competitors to the tournament, many of whom were new to the team.
Leading the team was sophomore Jessica Petrie, who made it to the final rounds in three of her four events. Petrie beat 112 other competitors in Varsity Impromptu Speaking, placing third in that event. She also placed third out of 27 in this year’s experimental event, Editorial Impromptu.
Petrie also placed fifth of 72 competitors in Varsity Extemporaneous Speaking, going head to head with several of last year’s national finalists in the final round.
Additionally, freshmen Aiula Taula and Arielle Long-Seabra took seventh of 27 in Novice Duo, while sophomore Sarah Agbehia made it to the semi-finals in Novice Impromptu Speaking. This put her in the top 12 of 66 competitors in the event.
The Truman Speech and Debate Team will close the semester with competitions at both Ohio State University and nearby Otterbein College the first weekend of December.
Students from all majors interested in joining the Forensics team should contact kscholten@truman.edu.
With a theme this year of “The Norton of Oz,” the tournament is known for its creative events. Considered one of the toughest competitions of the regular season, it drew 47 schools from across the nation.
“In some ways, this tournament is tougher than the National Championship Tournament,” commented Kristi Scholten, director of forensics. “We squeeze into one weekend what Nationals does in a week.”
Truman took six speech competitors to the tournament, many of whom were new to the team.
Leading the team was sophomore Jessica Petrie, who made it to the final rounds in three of her four events. Petrie beat 112 other competitors in Varsity Impromptu Speaking, placing third in that event. She also placed third out of 27 in this year’s experimental event, Editorial Impromptu.
Petrie also placed fifth of 72 competitors in Varsity Extemporaneous Speaking, going head to head with several of last year’s national finalists in the final round.
Additionally, freshmen Aiula Taula and Arielle Long-Seabra took seventh of 27 in Novice Duo, while sophomore Sarah Agbehia made it to the semi-finals in Novice Impromptu Speaking. This put her in the top 12 of 66 competitors in the event.
The Truman Speech and Debate Team will close the semester with competitions at both Ohio State University and nearby Otterbein College the first weekend of December.
Students from all majors interested in joining the Forensics team should contact kscholten@truman.edu.
