Spring Break
Forensics team wins 16th consecutive title
President says camaraderie among teammates lead to state victory
Emily Doud
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: News
The UW-Eau Claire forensics team won the Wisconsin State Tournament at UW-Whitewater Feb. 16 and 17, extending its winning streak at the event to 16 years in a row.
The tournament consisted of a number of events related to different aspects of communication including oratory, prose, poetry and dramatic interpretation.
Team president and senior Hilary Rasmussen placed first in five of her six events, winning first in the individual sweepstakes, the sum total of all the contestant's points.
"It was really gratifying to win individual sweeps because it was my last state tournament … I feel I went out with a bang," she said.
Sophomore Nick Miller placed third in the individual sweepstakes. Miller also placed third in informative speaking and after-dinner speaking.
Rasmussen and junior Eric Plantenberg placed sixth in the duo interpretation where they had to use a part from a dramatic play and interpret. First place went to Miller and sophomore BJ Pickard.
Rasmussen placed first in oral interpretation. In this event, the speaker gathers a collection of literature, news articles or even blogs that center around a particular issue to make an argument about that specific topic.
Freshman Meghan Pickard placed fifth in both persuasion and extemporaneous speech, along with sixth in impromptu. She was able to go to the finals in all of her events.
Rasmussen said although the team is young, it faired well in the competition.
"They are very young … it's a lot of pressure to step up," she said. "It's a lot to take on when your only first or second year."
The state competition has been a stronghold for the forensics team.
"Our state tournament is Eau Claire's bragging rights … we have to go into it with the mindset that we have to defend our title," Plantenberg said.
Rasmussen said the camaraderie of the group helped facilitate the win.
"It's the best state I ever had, because our team was so united, so close," she said. "You feel that if you give 110 percent that they will give 110 percent and it is really great as president to see the team come together."
The tournament consisted of a number of events related to different aspects of communication including oratory, prose, poetry and dramatic interpretation.
Team president and senior Hilary Rasmussen placed first in five of her six events, winning first in the individual sweepstakes, the sum total of all the contestant's points.
"It was really gratifying to win individual sweeps because it was my last state tournament … I feel I went out with a bang," she said.
Sophomore Nick Miller placed third in the individual sweepstakes. Miller also placed third in informative speaking and after-dinner speaking.
Rasmussen and junior Eric Plantenberg placed sixth in the duo interpretation where they had to use a part from a dramatic play and interpret. First place went to Miller and sophomore BJ Pickard.
Rasmussen placed first in oral interpretation. In this event, the speaker gathers a collection of literature, news articles or even blogs that center around a particular issue to make an argument about that specific topic.
Freshman Meghan Pickard placed fifth in both persuasion and extemporaneous speech, along with sixth in impromptu. She was able to go to the finals in all of her events.
Rasmussen said although the team is young, it faired well in the competition.
"They are very young … it's a lot of pressure to step up," she said. "It's a lot to take on when your only first or second year."
The state competition has been a stronghold for the forensics team.
"Our state tournament is Eau Claire's bragging rights … we have to go into it with the mindset that we have to defend our title," Plantenberg said.
Rasmussen said the camaraderie of the group helped facilitate the win.
"It's the best state I ever had, because our team was so united, so close," she said. "You feel that if you give 110 percent that they will give 110 percent and it is really great as president to see the team come together."
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