The Whitworth University forensics team took first place at the National Christian College Forensics Association National Tournament.  This tournament, held at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salinas, KS, included 19 Christian schools from 14 states who are members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) or have a similar Christian commitment.  

Whitworth took second in speech sweepstakes, first in debate sweepstakes and first place overall.  Whitworth finished ahead of 18 other schools, including Belmont University, Biola University, Colorado Christian University and Liberty University.  This is the seventh time in eight years the team has won this tournament.

The overall best novice competitor was Kelea Ilac ‘22, and Chauncey Koulibali ’22 was second.

Tucker Wilson ’20 was the second best overall varsity competitor.

(The victory is especially sweet after the team’s travel plans were disrupted by the “snow bomb” weather event that caused the Arguing Bucs to spend 33 hours at the Denver International Airport)

In debate:

In varsity debate Tucker Wilson and Sanjay Philip ‘21 were semifinalists (final four).  Sanjay was the 2^nd best speaker.

In junior varsity debate Solenne de Tassigny -22 took first place, Jericho Simone ’22 took second and Eli Min ’22 was a semifinalist. Solenne was the top speaker and Jericho took 3^rd place.

In novice debate Kelea Ilac took first place, Chauncey Koulibali was second, Mykel Greene ‘21 was a seminfinalist and AhLana Ames ’22 was a quarterfinalist (elite eight).  Kelea was the top speaker.

In individual speaking events:

After dinner speaker: Tucker Wilson took first, for the second consecutive year! 

Dramatic Interp: Chauncey Koulibali took 4^th place

Duo: Kelea Ilac and Chauncey Koulibali took 3^rd place

Novice Extemp: Jericho Simone took 2^nd place and Eli Min took 3^rd place

Extemp: Justin Li ’21 took 6^th place

Novice Impromptu: Kelea Ilac took 2^nd place and Jericho Simone took 3^rd place

Impromptu: Sanjay Philip took 2^nd place

Informative: Jericho Simone took 2^nd place and Sanjay Philip took 3^rd place

Poetry: Chauncey Koulibali took 3^rd place

Programmed Oral Interp: Chauncey Koulibali took 2^nd place

Prose: Tucker Wilson took 2^nd place and Sara Muscente took 4^th place

Alumni Jacob Farrell ’19 and Sarah Streyder ’15 were guest judges for Whitworth at the tournament.  The team’s final tournament of the season will be a debate only event at the IPDA National Championship, held at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, April 14-16. 

The team is coached Mike Ingram, professor of communication studies and director of forensics, and Rebecca Korf ’15 assistant director of forensics.

(Students in this novice division are in their first year of collegiate competition)