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.