Spring Break
Forensics team dominates state tournament
Two Eau Claire speakers qualify to represent Wisconsin at Interstate Oratory Contest
McLean Bennett
Issue date: 3/5/07 Section: Campus News
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Many people involved with the team said this year's group of freshmen was much larger than usual.
"We have way more freshmen than we have upperclassmen," said senior Christine Zani, who said she estimates there are more than twice as many freshmen as upperclassmen.
Assistant director of forensics Kelly Jo Wright agreed.
"We've had the exciting challenge of having a larger than usual freshman class," Wright said, adding that she believes the freshmen have been strong contributors to this year's team.
Zani, who placed second individually at the tournament, advanced for the second straight year to the Interstate Oratory Contest, a forensics competition scheduled to take place April 26-28 in Santa Fe, N.M., according to a university press release.
Sophomore Julie Germain, who placed second in oratory, fourth in informative speaking and fourth in dramatic interpretation, also qualified to compete in the IOC, according to the release.
Karen Morris, director of forensics, said two students from each state are selected annually to compete in the IOC.
Wright added that this year's competition will mark the 14th consecutive year in which both representatives from Wisconsin have been students at Eau Claire.
"I'm incredibly honored to have been chosen to represent the state," Zani said. "It was really just honoring and amazing to be chosen to go to that."
This year also marks Eau Claire's 15th consecutive first-place finish at the Wisconsin State Tournament.
But this year's victory didn't come easily; Wright said UW-Madison came close to ending Eau Claire's long winning streak.
"Madison gave us a huge run for our money," Wright said, adding she was "incredibly proud" of the team for winning its 15th consecutive tournament.
Morris and several teammates spoke highly of the tradition on the forensics team.
"When people come into the program," Morris said, "they know that there's a tradition of excellence behind them."
Junior Hilary Rasmussen, who took first place individually and placed well in her other events, said she was proud to carry on the team's success.
"I was five years old when they started that tradition," Rasmussen said. "I'm just really proud to be part of this team."
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