February 7, 2012

For Immediate Release

HC Forensics not slowed by snow, cold; competes at Border Wars Debate and Forensics tournament

Note to Media: For more information, contact Dr. Kittie Grace, Director of Forensics, at (402) 461-461-7385.

(Hastings, Neb.) – The Hastings College Bronco Forensics team placed fifth place at the Border Wars Debate and Forensics tournament hosted by Kansas Wesleyan and Missouri Community College.  Held on February 3-5, the tournament included competition the HC team typically does not face, including Wiley College, the team featured in the movie The Great Debators.  

Additionally, the team qualified two more events for the American Forensics Association-National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET).

The individual results are as follows:  

Saturday, February 4, 2012
Aaron Geringer, a senior from Wheatland, Wyo.      3rd Place, Communication Analysis*
                                                                                   6th Place, Prose Interpretation
Hannah Davis, a junior from Grand Island, Neb.        5th Place, Prose Interpretation
Trevor Bass, a junior from Lincoln, Neb.                   4th Place, Extemporaneous Speaking*
Nikko Zurawski, a freshman from Bennett, Colo.      6th Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

Sunday, February 5, 2012
Aaron Geringer, a senior from Wheatland, Wyo.      5th Place, Extemporaneous Speaking
Hannah Davis, a junior from Grand Island, Neb.       2nd Place, Prose Interpretation    
                                                                                  2nd Place, Dramatic Interpretation
Trevor Bass, a junior from Lincoln, Neb.                  6th Place, Communication Analysis
Jose Jimenez, a sophomore from Lexington, Neb.,
   and Jenny Linne, a sophomore from Bailey, Colo. 6th Place, Dramatic Duo
Jenny Linne, a sophomore from Bailey, Colo.           6th Place, Impromptu Speaking
Nikko Zurawski, a freshman from Bennett, Colo.     5th Place, Extemporaneous Speaking
Sierra Walker, a freshman from Gering, Neb.           4th Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

*This event has now qualified for the national tournament.

This weekend, the team will travel to the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., to compete in the “Sweetheart Swing.”

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 12 of the last 13 years and in the Top 15 for five of the last seven years. The team has had 11 Individual Sweepstakes Award Winners since 1990. Since 1998, 45 students have achieved a quarterfinal at the AFA-NIET, 23 students have advanced to semifinals, 14 students have placed in finals at nationals and four speeches have achieved championships. Six students have been named to the AFA-All American Team. 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 Texas State University in San Marcos, TX on April 6-9, 2012.

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.