The Hastings College Forensics (Speech and Debate) team traveled to the University of Nebraska-Kearney (UNK) for the final speech tournament of the Fall Semester, Dec. 4-5.
This tournament is hosted by UNK and Concordia College (Minnesota). This tournament featured some of the toughest competition in Nebraska and the surrounding area. The second day was featured a showcase for any qualified events to perform. The team brought home four awards.

Saturday, December 4
Junior Corey Reutlinger, Lexington, Neb. 4th place in Informative Speaking
First-year Jenny Linne, Bailey, Colo. 6th place in Dramatic Interpretation

Sunday, December 5
Junior Corey Reutlinger, Lexington, Neb. 4th place in Program Oral Interpretation
Junior Aaron Geringer, Wheatland, Wyo. semi-final in Prose Interpretation

The Bronco Forensics team has always seen national success at the American Forensics Association-National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET). The team has been ranked in the Top 20 for 11 of the last 12 years and in the Top 15 for five of the last six years. The team has had 11 Individual Sweepstakes Award Winners since 1990.

Since 1998, 43 students have achieved a quarterfinal at the AFA-NIET, 21 students have advanced to semifinals, 13 students have placed in finals at nationals and four speeches have achieved championships. Six students have been named to the AFA-All American Team placing Hastings College third in the nation for number of students with this honor. The team is ranked as the number one undergraduate college for the last decade at the AFA-NIET (Sternhagen, 2010).

The AFA-NIET will be held at the University of Nebraska-Kearney on April 1-3, 2011.
Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,190 students. Hastings College was named among “America’s Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report, a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review, and a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.

For more information, contact Kittie Grace at (402) 461-461-7385.