February 4, 2007

PRINTER-FRIENDLY FORMAT

Contact: Jacob Thompson, UNI director of forensics and instructor in communication studies, (319) 273-7200
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-6728

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (2/4/07)

UNI Speech Team Starts Spring Semester Speaking Their Way to Victory!
Cedar Falls, Iowa - The UNI Speech team began the spring 2007 semester with several victories, both on the road and at home.   In early January, the UNI Speech team competed at a tournament at the University of Texas- Austin . There, Ali Horsted (Frosh-Theater and Communication Studies, Sioux Falls , SD ) took sixth place in Program Oral Interpretation (POI), among some of the most difficult competition in the nation. After returning from Texas , the speech team hosted the first half of the Iowa Swing Speech Tournament on January 20, 2007. The UNI half of the tournament is named the “Henderson Invitational” in honor of former Director of Forensics and long-time friend of the team, Dr. Bill Henderson.

The UNI Speech team was successful competing on its home turf. Jessica Sauer (Junior-Communication and Theater Education and Spanish, Marion IA) took fourth place in Persuasive Speaking, addressing the plight of individuals seeking asylum in the United States . Sauer noted that she was “honored” to have UNI President Ben Allen and his wife, Pat, attend one of her rounds of competition. At the second half of the Iowa Swing Tournament, hosted at Wartburg College on January 21, 2007, Sauer again took fourth place in Persuasive Speaking. More importantly, Sauer was recognized as the top persuasive speaker in the state of Iowa . She was selected as one of only two students from the state to represent Iowa at the Interstate Oratory Competition, which is widely considered to be the oldest and most prestigious public speaking competition in the United States . Voiza Greene, Director of Individual Events at UNI said, “Jessica has worked tirelessly to polish and perfect her speech. Being invited to Interstate is an incredible honor, and we're very proud of her.”

Other UNI students also shone at the Wartburg half of the Iowa Swing. Ali Horsted took fifth place in POI. Coltrane Carlson (Senior-Electronic Media and Communication Studies, Council Bluffs , IA ) finished in fourth place in Dramatic Interpretation. Together Horsted & Carlson were ranked as the second best team at the tournament in Dramatic Duo Interpretation. Angela Carder (Senior- Communication and Theater Education, Ottumwa , IA ) won in two different events, taking fourth place in POI and sixth place in Poetry Interpretation.

More recently, the Speech team competed at the Mid-America Forensic League (MALF) tournaments #4 and 5 at Minnesota State University-Mankato. Based on sweepstakes points, the UNI Speech team emerged from the MAFL #4 tournament on January 27 ranked as the fifth best overall team. Individually, several UNI students received awards. Carlson took third place in Poetry Interpretation. Sauer received second place in Communication Analysis, and Carder took fourth place in the same event. At the MAFL #5 tournament on January 28, Sauer and Carder again won honors in Communication Analysis, taking third and sixth place, respectively.

Dr. Jake Thompson, the Director of Forensics at UNI said, “This year the UNI Speech team has emerged as one of the premier competitors in America . Our students and coaching staff deserve recognition for their hard work and commitment to excellence. For more information on the UNI Speech team, please contact Dr. Thompson at 273-7200 or jacob.thompson@uni.edu .