The Illinois State speech team took first place overall this past week at the first Mid-America Forensics League Tournament (MAFL) and fourth place at the Western Kentucky Fall Tournament (WKU). Both competitions were held asynchronously.
The team had great success both as a whole and in individual events.
At MAFL, senior Sarah Sanders (Marion) took first place in Persuasion and Prose, as well as third place in Extemporaneous. Senior Rachel Zoellick (Elk Grove Village) took first place in Critical Analysis and second in After Dinner Speaking. Sophomore Michelle Ryan (Chicago Heights) won first place in After Dinner Speaking and fifth place in Impromptu. Sophomore Henry Davenport (Elk Grove Village) was awarded fourth place in Extemporaneous and sophomore Jedge Slothower took fourth place in both Impromptu and Persuasion.
“It’s so fun seeing everyone having events up and not just in the works or as ideas. Seeing people’s progress inspires me to make progress on my own events.”
Rachel Zoellick, senior
At WKU, Sanders walked away with a first place in Prose and a second place in Persuasion. Slothower won fourth in Persuasion and Ryan took fourth in After Dinner Speaking. Davenport took fifth place in Persuasion.
“It felt really good to compete again. I’m excited to see how everyone does this year,” said Sanders, “It was amazing to see everyone make one last push to get their events out there. It felt awesome being able to share what I’ve been working on for the past couple months.”
“It felt great to be back recording and performing my prepared speeches,” said Slothower.
The tournaments were a great way for the team to support one another and enjoy new events.
“It’s so fun seeing everyone having events up and not just in the works or as ideas. Seeing people’s progress inspires me to make progress on my own events,” said Zoellick.
Referring to the MAFL, Ryan said, “It felt great! I was so proud of myself this tournament.”
The team is looking ahead to this weekend when they will be hosting Illinois State’s Back to the Nest Tournament on campus. Keeping with tradition, the team will be painting and distributing birdhouses in Illinois State colors in place of regular trophies.
“I’m looking forward to competing in person next weekend,” said Sanders.
Back to the Nest will be the first tournament on the circuit to attempt to host a completely hybrid event, with rounds consisting of both in-person and online competitors and judges. It will be a new experience both for the Illinois State competitors and the teams coming in from around the country to compete.
The team had plans to participate in MAFL 2 this past weekend in Iowa, but the tournament was unfortunately canceled due to not having enough teams entered to compete.
The ISU Forensics Union, the oldest and most successful registered student organization on campus, boasts over 80 individual national champions and 10 team national championships. The team competes at tournaments in Lincoln-Douglas debate, public speaking, and oral interpretation events.