Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University’s Forensic Team concluded the 2005-06 season by winning the National Forensic Association’s team sweepstakes in both individual events and Lincoln-Douglas debate.

WKU became the first school to win the Lincoln-Douglas award in three consecutive years and the individual events title is the team’s third in four years.

With 568 sweepstakes points, WKU outperformed 84 other schools in the April 14-17 tournament hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Rounding out the top 10 team finishes were: Bradley University (487), Illinois State University (387.5), Arizona State University (327.5), Eastern Michigan University (247.5), University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (209.5), New York University (173.5), Minnesota State University-Mankato (160), Ball State University (154.5) and Saint Joseph's University (143.5).

With 85 points, WKU edged 23 other schools to claim the Lincoln-Douglas team title. Other schools in the top five were: Creighton University (80), University of Missouri (71), Washburn University (68) and Missouri Southern University (49).
Earlier this semester, WKU won its seventh International Forensic Association title and won the American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament’s national team sweepstakes title for the third time in four years.

Director of Forensics Judy Woodring lauded the team’s effort and drive to bring all four championships back to Western. “At the beginning of the year I issued a challenge for our students to become more self-motivated and for our seniors to pick up the pace by becoming leaders for the team,” she said. “Obviously, they did as I requested.”

WKU team members claimed three individual national championships as well: Chris Brasfield in persuasive speaking, Saeed Jones in impromptu speaking and partners Natalie Sintek and Lydia Nelson in duo interpretation.

“To be named the best in any given event means your name will be added to the permanent records, appearing each year in the tournament program booklet. This is an incredible honor for four deserving students,” Woodring said.

Four team members placed in the top 10 in pentathlon out of a field of 119 competitors: Nelson placed third, Sintek placed fifth, Jones placed seventh and Courtney Wright placed 10th. Only individuals who compete in five or more events are considered for the title.

Joelle Perry was elected the 2006-07 student representative for Lincoln-Douglas debate on the NFA Executive Council.
As a team, WKU advanced 48 of its 133 entries to the break rounds of competition and had a total of 15 national finalists.

Individual results from the NFA tournament are as follows:
Lydia Nelson, a junior from Carver, Mass., national champion in duo interpretation (with partner Natalie Sintek), third in pentathlon, third in informative speaking, fourth in persuasive speaking, semifinalist in after dinner speaking.

Natalie Sintek, a sophomore from Eagan, Minn., national champion in duo interpretation (with partner Lydia Nelson), third in poetry interpretation, fifth in individual sweepstakes, fifth in after dinner speaking, quarterfinalist in prose interpretation.

Saeed Jones, a sophomore from Lewisville, Texas, national champion in impromptu speaking, second in duo interpretation (with partner Ashley Litsey), seventh in pentathlon, semifinalist in persuasive speaking, quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with partner Ben Unanaowo).

Chris Brasfield, a Bowling Green senior, national champion in persuasive speaking, semifinalist in prose interpretation, quarterfinalist in rhetorical criticism.

Courtney Wright, a senior from Evansville, Ind., 10th in individual sweepstakes, third in after dinner speaking, semifinalist in impromptu speaking, semifinalist in duo interpretation (with partner Benjamin Pyle), semifinalist in duo interpretation (with partner Joel Smith), quarterfinalist in prose interpretation, quarterfinalist in persuasive speaking.

Joelle Perry, a Florence junior, second speaker in Lincoln-Douglas debate, semifinalist in Lincoln-Douglas debate, fourth in impromptu speaking.

Ashley Brasfield, a Mayfield senior, sixth in rhetorical criticism, sixth in persuasive speaking.

Ashley Litsey, a Hodgenville freshman, second in duo interpretation (with partner Saeed Jones), semifinalist in poetry interpretation.

Nicole Hawk, an Upton senior, sixth in extemporaneous speaking, quarterfinalist in Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Logan Scisco, a Danville sophomore, third in extemporaneous speaking.

John VanSlyke, a freshman from Wylie, Texas, sixth in duo interpretation (with partner Cornelius Lee).

Cornelius Lee, a freshman from Killeen, Texas, sixth in duo interpretation (with partner John VanSlyke).

Justin Cress, a Florence senior, semifinalist in impromptu speaking, quarterfinalist in extemporaneous speaking, quarterfinalist in Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Benjamin Pyle, a sophomore from Harrisburg, Ill., semifinalist in duo interpretation (with partner Courtney Wright), quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with partner Rachel Wigginton), quarterfinalist in informative speaking.

Chad Meadows, an Owensboro sophomore, quarterfinalist in extemporaneous speaking, double-octofinalist in Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Nick Romerhausen, a senior from Evansville, Ind., quarterfinalist in persuasive speaking, quarterfinalist in impromptu speaking.

Ben Unanaowo, a sophomore from Union City, Calif., quarterfinalist in informative speaking, quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with partner Saeed Jones).

Rachel Wigginton, a Glendale freshman, quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with partner Benjamin Pyle), quarterfinalist in informative speaking.

Lauren Nelson, a freshman from Wheaton, Ill., quarterfinalist in impromptu speaking, octofinalist in Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Ryan Howell, a senior from Plymouth, Ind., semifinalist in informative speaking.

Nick Courtney, a freshman from Morristown, Tenn., semifinalist in poetry interpretation.

Joel Smith, a Murray sophomore, semifinalist in duo interpretation (with partner Courtney Wright).

Barry Fields, a Bowling Green junior, quarterfinalist in impromptu speaking.

Micah Mason, a freshman from DeSoto, Texas, quarterfinalist in poetry interpretation.

Melissa Messer, a San Antonio junior, quarterfinalist in rhetorical criticism.

Adam Heugel, a sophomore from Rosenberg, Texas, double-octofinalist in Lincoln-Douglas debate.

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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