April 08, 2009
Bowling
Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University’s forensic team won its sixth American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament earlier this week in Akron, Ohio.
In the 31st annual AFA tournament April 3-6, WKU swept the tournament sweepstakes, making this the team’s sixth AFA national championship since it began attending eight years ago. George Mason University placed second, followed by University of Texas at Austin, Bradley University and Illinois State University. AFA consists of more than 273 member schools. WKU was the only school to advance students to elimination rounds in every event.
Rachel Wigginton, a senior from Glendale, was selected as a member of the AFA 2009 All American Team, acknowledging her forensics talent, academic achievement and community involvement.
Samantha Harrison, a junior from Carrollton, Texas, was elected Student Representative to the National Board for AFA.
Next up for WKU is the National Forensic Association National Tournament April 16-20 in Springfield, Mo. In 2008, WKU won its seventh NFA championship in debate and its fifth championship in individual events.
Individual results from the American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament are as follows:
Jessica Furgerson, a junior from San Antonio, Texas, national champion in impromptu speaking, semifinalist in extemporaneous speaking and semifinalist in informative speaking.
Adam Swanson, a junior from Rosemount, Minn., fourth in prose interpretation, seventeenth in individual sweepstakes, quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with Joele Denis) and quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with Mario Nguyen).
Jerome Davis, a junior from Austell, Ga., fourth in duo interpretation (with Robert Whittley) and quarterfinalist in poetry interpretation.
Robert Whittley, a sophomore from Glenview, Ill., fourth in duo interpretation (with Jerome Davis).
Cornelius Lee, a senior from Killeen, Texas, fifth in poetry interpretation, semifinalist in duo interpretation (with Ashley Litsey) and quarterfinalist in programmed oral interpretation.
Katie Nedvidek, a junior from Danville, fifth in after-dinner speaking.
Carrie Guggenmos, a junior from Fullerton, Calif., sixth in prose interpretation, semifinalist in poetry interpretation and quarterfinalist in communication analysis.
Ganer Newman, a junior from Sherman Oaks, Calif., semifinalist in poetry interpretation and quarterfinalist in dramatic interpretation.
Lauren Nelson, a senior from Wheaton, Ill., semifinalist in extemporaneous speaking and quarterfinalist in persuasive speaking.
Seth Peckham, a junior from Alden, Kan., semifinalist in extemporaneous speaking and semifinalist in impromptu speaking.
Chelsea Harman, a sophomore from Hickory, semifinalist in poetry interpretation.
Ashley Litsey, a senior from Hodgenville, semifinalist in duo interpretation (with Cornelius Lee).
Joele Denis, a senior from Hollywood, Fla., quarterfinalist in dramatic interpretation, quarterfinalist in poetry
interpretation, quarterfinalist in prose interpretation and quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with Adam Swanson).
Rachel Wigginton, a senior from Glendale, quarterfinalist in persuasive speaking and quarterfinalist in prose interpretation.
Mario Nguyen, a freshman from Plano, Texas, quarterfinalist in duo interpretation (with Adam Swanson).
Bloss named NPDA Academic All-American
WKU senior Brian Bloss of Coppell, Texas, was recently named NPDA Academic All-American.
The National Parliamentary Debate Association is the largest intercollegiate debate association in the nation. Students from all across the nation submit applications for the honor, but only 12 are chosen.
“I owe the success the NPDA All-American Award represents to the help and support of all my coaches and teammates, in particular Barry Fields, Kelcy Hathaway and Kaleb Jessee, who were my parliamentary debate partners during my sophomore, junior and senior years, respectively,” Bloss said. “Without their support both in and out of competitive rounds, this honor would not have been possible.”
Bloss is finishing his fourth and final year as a member of WKU’s forensic team. After this year, he will attend The Bush School of Government and Public Service, located at Texas A&M University.
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu and at http://wkunews.wordpress.com/. 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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