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WKU Speech And Debate Team Preparing For 2005-06 Season
Bowling Green, Ky. - With 18 freshmen, three new assistant coaches and three new graduate assistants bringing in new ideas and perspectives, change has been the theme as Western Kentucky University's forensics team prepares for the 2005-06 speech and debate season.
One thing that won't change, however, is the team's goal to remain one of the top programs nationally and internationally. “I anticipate another good year,” said Judy Woodring, forensics director. “I think we will be hard to beat.” The team’s incoming freshmen include four national high school champions as well as several others who were state champions or national finalists. They join a WKU team that last year won a sixth International Forensics Association championship, defended its team sweepstakes championship in Lincoln-Douglas debate at the National Forensic Association tournament and finished in the top four nationally in the NFA and American Forensic Association individual events tournaments. But the team isn’t resting on its laurels. Two of the new coaches won national championships last year and are hoping to share their experience with the team. “Our motto this year has been change,” said Tyler Billman, a graduate assistant from Peoria, Ill., who competed for Bradley University. “Our new students and new coaches have instilled a different perspective.” Jenny Corum, a graduate assistant from Auburn, is making the transition from award-winning WKU team member to WKU coach. “I like this role much better,” she said. “I enjoy teaching because it’s more rewarding.” Joelle Perry, a Florence junior, is hoping to build on a successful 2004-05 season that included a third-place national finish in Lincoln-Douglas debate. Her goal is a national title. “I think we’ll do extremely well,” she said. The forensics program’s national and international success, along with WKU’s sponsorship of the National Forensic League tournament, have boosted student recruitment, Woodring said. This year’s team members come from Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nevada, Massachusetts, Arkansas, California and Virginia. Ryan Brown, a Morehead freshman, came to WKU for a speech camp and fell in love with the campus and the program. “Forensics has been my passion since the seventh grade,” he said. The fall semester tournaments begin this weekend at Purdue University. More information on the team is available online at www.wku.edu/forensics Members of the 2005-06 WKU forensics team include the following: From Bowling Green, Ky.: senior Chris Brasfield, junior Barry Fields From Lexington, Ky.: sophomore Beth Berger, senior Grace Bruenderman From Danville, Ky.: sophomore Logan Scisco From Morehead, Ky.: freshman Ryan Brown From LaGrange, Ky.: freshman John Ryan Morris From Bardstown, Ky.: freshman Maria Wallace From Glendale, Ky.: freshman Rachel Wigginton From Upton, Ky.: senior Nicole Hawk From Hodgenville, Ky.: freshman Ashley Litsey From Symsonia, Ky.: sophomore Maggie Waid From Mayfield, Ky.: senior Ashley Brasfield From Murray, Ky.: sophomore Joel Smith From Eddyville, Ky.: junior Jordon Wadlington From Florence, Ky.: senior Justin Cress, junior Joelle Perry From Owensboro, Ky.: sophomore Chad Meadows From Evansville, Ind.: sophomore Ashley Burgdorf, senior Nick Romerhausen, senior Courtney Wright From Plymouth, Ind.: senior Ryan Howell From Indianapolis: freshman Wes Calhoun, freshman James W. Victery From Wheaton, Ill.: freshman Lauren Nelson From Harrisburg, Ill.: sophomore Benjamin S. Pyle From Mt. Vernon, Ill.: junior Stephanie Youroukos From Neosho, Mo.: freshman James Colston, freshman Audrey Covey From Morristown, Tenn.: freshman Nick Courtney From Talbott, Tenn.: sophomore Luke Gilbert From Lowell, Ark.: freshman Megan Schrader From Alexandria, Va.: freshman David Tuck From Rosenberg, Texas: sophomore Adam Heugel From Lewisville, Texas: sophomore Saeed Jones From Killeen, Texas: freshman Cornelius Lee From Desoto, Texas: freshman Micah Mason From San Antonio, Texas: junior Melissa Messer From Wylie, Texas: freshman J.D. VanSlyke From Coppell, Texas: freshman Brian Bloss From Verdi, Nev.: freshman Rachel Mosley From Carver, Mass.: junior Lydia Nelson From Somis, Calif.: freshman Keyon Shokraie From Union City, Calif.: sophomore Ben Unanawo From Eagan, Minn.: sophomore Natalie Sintek More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu. For information, contact Judy Woodring at (270) 745-6340.
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