News & Events
Monday, April 27, 2009 UNI's Speech and Debate Teams Compete at Nationals
Contact:
Katherine Lavelle, assistant professor of communication studies and forensics director, (319) 273-7200, Katherine.Lavelle@uni.edu
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-6728
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Speech and Debate teams have had another successful season with both teams competing at national competitions.
Four members of the speech team qualified for the American Forensics Association National Tournament in Akron, Ohio. Ali Horsted, a junior communication major from Harrisburg, S.D.; Ashlee Lopez, a senior communication major from Bettendorf; Emma Peterson, a sophomore communication major from Ankeny and Anna McDermott, sophomore electronic media & political science major from Des Moines competed at the tournament. Horsted and McDermott were semi-finalists in duo interpretation placing among the top 12 in the nation for the event.
Horsted, Lopez, Peterson and McDermott, along with Chris Outzen, a sophomore communication major from Des Moines; Yaw Kyeremanteng, a sophomore French studies major from Cedar Falls; Adam Beaves, a freshman political communication major from Des Moines; Jakob Elmquist, a freshman English major from Ankeny; Ashveen Sekaran, a junior math statistics & actuarial sciences major from Kluang Joh, Malaysia; Courtney Said, a freshman history major from Bettendorf and Mallory Burggraaf, freshman communication major from Fairfield, competed at the National Forensics Association National Tournament held in Springfield, Mo.
The team competed in 32 events and placed seventh in the President's Sweepstakes for Division I teams. Horsted and Lopez advanced to the quarter final round in poetry interpretation and dramatic interpretation, respectfully.
Outzen also qualified for the 137th Interstate Oratory Competition (the oldest speech competition in the nation) at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. Only two individuals from each state are selected to attend the competition each year.
On the debate side, novice debaters Rhonda Greenway, a freshman political communication and philosophy major from Van Meter; Jennifer Nulty, a sophomore political communication and sociology major from Van Horne and Tamera Glybina of St. Petersburg, Russia, took second place at the National Junior and Novice National Tournament. Nulty was also recognized for her individual speaking abilities, placing eighth in the nation.
Katherine Lavelle, UNI assistant professor of communication studies, is director of forensics; Kelsey Harr, UNI instructor in communication studies, and Catherine Palczewski, UNI professor of communication studies, are directors of debate; and Rebecca Buel, instructor in communication studies, is director of individual events. Rachelle Saunders and Adam Gonzalez are graduate teaching assistants for the teams.
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