The UW-Eau Claire forensics team placed seven out of 38 schools at the L.E. Norton Invitational at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. during the first weekend in November.
Director of Forensics Karen Morris attributes the team’s success at the 68th annual Norton tournament to the seniors on the team.
But it’s not just the seniors who are performing well, Morris said.
“We’re so deep this year,” she said
Senior Jake Johnson, administrative assistant for forensics, placed second in extemporaneous speaking at the Match Made in Heaven tournament, the first tournament of its kind held at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.
Extemporaneous speeches usually focus on current events, he said, and Johnson had to answer whether Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s agreement to a new election was good politics or good publicity.
Johnson, a political science minor, said his classes help a lot with extemporaneous speeches, because it allows him to understand political theory. Beyond the classroom, Johnson said forensics benefits him in larger ways.
“You have to learn how to not only clearly state your arguments, but use solid, cohesive argumentation in a short amount of time that doesn’t lose someone’s interest,” he said.
UW-Eau Claire hosted one day of the Match Made in Heaven tournament, and James Madison University hosted the other. Morris said they named the tournament because the two universities’ philosophy on coaching and competition match well.
Because UW-Eau Claire was hosting part of the tournament, the team opted out of a team award. But, Morris said, the points pretty clearly show the team placed second overall.
Senior Dylan Jambrek, president of the forensics team, also placed second in extemporaneous speaking, but at the L.E. Norton tournament. His question focused on how the decline of the U.S. dollar would affect the competitiveness of Middle Eastern investors in the London Stock Exchange, a question he said was “painfully obscure.”
He said a lot of research goes into the speeches and that as many as 10 sources will be cited in any given speech.
Jambrek said the L.E. Norton tournament serves as a predictor for the national tournament. Placing seventh is a “pretty good indicator that we’ll be in pretty good shape,” he said.
Johnson said competing in forensics has taught him about friendly competition and team work. He hopes to use those skills one day as a politician, he said.
In March, UW-Eau Claire will be hosting a national forensics tournament on campus, with up to 100 schools participating, Morris said. Around 800 to 1,000 people are expected to be on campus, including competitors and coaches, she said.
“We encourage anyone to come see what the entire nation has to offer,” Jambrek said.
