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WKU Forensic Team Wins NFA National April 22, 2003 By winning the National Forensic Association title, Western's William E. Bivin Forensic Society became the first team to win the NFA, the American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament, the International Forensic Association tournament and the Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha National Tournament in the same year. "We did something that no other school has done before us," said Judy Woodring, forensic director. "We are only the second team in the nation to have won both NFA and AFA in the same year. Bradley was first. "No other team has won Internationals, DSR, AFA and NFA in the same year. History was made. We will just sit back and see if anyone can break this record. I don't look for it to happen in my lifetime." WKU President Gary Ransdell called the team's success "a great accomplishment." "This has been a year of remarkable national successes through our campus, but the performance of our forensics team this spring is the single most impressive achievement of this University for this or any other year," Dr. Ransdell said. "To achieve an unparalleled and unprecedented sweep of all three national forensic tournaments and the international championship in a single year is truly amazing. This is the most significant evidence yet of Western's push to become a university of national prominence," he said. Seventy-seven schools competed at the NFA tournament at Ball State University. Western was first with 413.5 points followed by Bradley with 389, Illinois State with 348.5 points, Miami (Ohio) with 266.5 points and Truman State with 263.5 points. Since 1976, Bradley, Eastern Michigan and Illinois State have dominated the tournament. Two WKU team members placed in the individual sweepstakes competition. Caleb Williams, a sophomore from Lewisville, Texas, was fourth while Evelio Silvera, a junior from Fort Myers, Fla., was 12th. Woodring credited the WKU administration for helping the team achieve its goals. "This would never have been possible without Provost Barbara Burch," Woodring said. "She is the reason I'm still here and the reason that we are financially able to attract good coaches and good students to our program. "Dr. Burch told me six years ago that if I would stay and build the team, she would build the resources for us to compete and succeed. She did. I did. It has been a partnership that has made this team number one in the nation." Western also won the Kentucky Forensic Association State Tournament and several other invitational tournaments this year. Individual results from the April 17-21 NFA tournament are as follows: Caleb Williams, a sophomore from Lewisville, Texas, fifth in after-dinner speaking, sixth in impromptu speaking, semifinalist in persuasive speaking and rhetorical criticism, quarterfinalist in informative speaking. Evelio Silvera, a junior from Fort Myers, Fla., fourth in extemporaneous speaking, semifinalist in informative speaking, quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with Nicole Estenfelder). Keith Blaser, a senior from Evansville, Ind., third in duo interpretation (with Jacob Peregoy), fifth in prose interpretation, quarterfinalist in after-dinner speaking. Jacob Peregoy, a sophomore from Evansville, Ind., third in duo interpretation (with Keith Blaser), quarterfinalist in after-dinner speaking and poetry interpretation. Drew Allen, a junior from Brentwood, Tenn., third in poetry interpretation, quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with David Burns). Raegan Gibson, a senior from Evansville, Ind., second in Lincoln-Douglas Debate Speaker Awards, semifinalist in persuasive speaking, top 16 in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Stacy Bernaugh, a senior from Seaside, Calif., sixth in Lincoln-Douglas Debate Speaker Awards. Lindsey Nave, a junior from Harrisburg, Ill., semifinalist in poetry interpretation, quarterfinalist in after-dinner speaking and duo interpretation (with Tony Damico). Rebecca Simms, a Lebanon sophomore, semifinalist in after-dinner speaking, quarterfinalist in persuasive speaking and poetry interpretation. Chris Brasfield, a Fulton freshman, semifinalist in poetry interpretation. Adam Henze, a sophomore from Evansville, Ind., semifinalist in prose interpretation. Courtney Smith, a junior from Downers Grove, Ill., quarterfinalist in informative speaking, persuasive speaking, prose interpretation. Chris Blackford, a freshman from Evansville, Ind., quarterfinalist in prose interpretation. David Burns, a sophomore from Dayton, Ohio, quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with Drew Allen). Tony Damico, a Phoenix junior, quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with Lindsey Nave). Nicole Estenfelder, a Florence sophomore, quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with Evelio Silvera). Kate Hertweck, a sophomore from Evansville, Ind., quarterfinalist in impromptu speaking. Nick Romerhausen, a freshman from Evansville, Ind., quarterfinalist in after-dinner speaking. Joel Smith, a Murray sophomore, quarterfinalist in poetry interpretation. Jen Taylor, a junior from Harrisburg, Ill., quarterfinalist in prose interpretation. Jenny Corum, an Auburn sophomore, top 32 in Lincoln-Douglas debate. Nicole Hawk, an Upton freshman, top 32 in Lincoln-Douglas debate. Alex Rogers, a sophomore from Leawood, Kan., top 32 in Lincoln-Douglas debate. Jordon Wadlington, an Eddyville freshman, top 32 in Lincoln-Douglas debate.
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