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.