Spring Break
Forensics team prepares for National tournament in April
Earning 7th place at St. Cloud meet, freshmen competitors hold strong for Eau Claire
Emily Hartwig
Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: News
When a Blugold athletics team sends members to a national-level competition, people take notice. But when the UW-Eau Claire Forensics Team sends competitors to national tournaments, it's almost expected.
Coach Kelly Jo Wright said last year, the program sent 16 students to the National Forensics Association tournament and six students to the American Forensics Association tournament, which has tougher standards. This year, individual performances in events, such as the most recent Iowa Swing Tournament, Jan. 19 to 20, and the Mid-American Forensics League no. 5 and no. 6, Jan. 26 to 27, are qualifying students for nationals left and right.
"We demand a lot from our forensics students," Wright said, adding Eau Claire requires students to qualify in three events to go to a national tournament, instead of just one, since the coaches want to make the money used on expensive tournaments worth the cost.
Junior Justin Rudnick is one such student. At the January tournaments, he qualified for both the NFA and the AFA for his speeches in persuasion and informative speaking, respectively.
Rudnick said he attributes the team's consistent success to its members' drive, passion and great coaches. He said since many on Eau Claire's team are from small towns, they are more stubborn and passionate about their messages.
"We genuinely put our hearts and souls into the things we talk about," he said.
Rudnick said he competes in eight separate events, which is more events than a member usually does.
Eau Claire's team requires its students to prepare at least three events a season - to maximize tournament funds and give the individual a better chance at qualifying for more national tournament spots - Wright said. This means each student must research, write and prepare at least three pieces worthy of competition each year.
Besides individual qualifiers, forensics also takes an overall team score at tournaments. Eau Claire took second and fourth at the two Iowa tournaments, fifth at MAFL #5 and third at MAFL #6.
Coach Kelly Jo Wright said last year, the program sent 16 students to the National Forensics Association tournament and six students to the American Forensics Association tournament, which has tougher standards. This year, individual performances in events, such as the most recent Iowa Swing Tournament, Jan. 19 to 20, and the Mid-American Forensics League no. 5 and no. 6, Jan. 26 to 27, are qualifying students for nationals left and right.
"We demand a lot from our forensics students," Wright said, adding Eau Claire requires students to qualify in three events to go to a national tournament, instead of just one, since the coaches want to make the money used on expensive tournaments worth the cost.
Junior Justin Rudnick is one such student. At the January tournaments, he qualified for both the NFA and the AFA for his speeches in persuasion and informative speaking, respectively.
Rudnick said he attributes the team's consistent success to its members' drive, passion and great coaches. He said since many on Eau Claire's team are from small towns, they are more stubborn and passionate about their messages.
"We genuinely put our hearts and souls into the things we talk about," he said.
Rudnick said he competes in eight separate events, which is more events than a member usually does.
Eau Claire's team requires its students to prepare at least three events a season - to maximize tournament funds and give the individual a better chance at qualifying for more national tournament spots - Wright said. This means each student must research, write and prepare at least three pieces worthy of competition each year.
Besides individual qualifiers, forensics also takes an overall team score at tournaments. Eau Claire took second and fourth at the two Iowa tournaments, fifth at MAFL #5 and third at MAFL #6.
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