The Hastings College Forensics team had great success following the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament. Juniors Corey Reutlinger, Lexington, Neb., and Mike Dvorak, Muskogee, Okla., traveled to Illinois State University to compete in the National Forensics Association Tournament (NFA). Corey Reutlinger was a quarter-finalist in Poetry and Prose Interpretation. As a team they finished 2nd in the President’s Division Three. This is a unique honor as the team normally doesn’t travel to this tournament.

Senior Curt Casper, Lexington, Neb., was runner-up (2nd place) at the National Interstate Oratory Tournament (ISO). This is the oldest competitive speaking tournament in the nation, and this was the 139th annual event. The tournament was held at James Madison University. Casper qualified for the tournament by being one of the top two Oratories at the State Tournament. Casper joins only current Hastings College Head Coach Dr. Kittie Grace as the top finishing Hastings College Bronco at this tournament.

Casper's speech focuses on gaining support for survivors of suicide, in which he uses the personal story of his father who committed suicide in 2007.

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 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).

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 or kgrace@hastings.edu.