While competing at the Northwestern University Conference Challenge in Chicago, Ill., Hastings College faced tough competition from nationally recognized forensics programs such as Illinois State University, Eastern Michigan University, Bradley University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as well as the host institution, Northwestern University. With only eight students at the tournament, Hastings College earned the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Championship for the tournament and took fifth place overall in team sweepstakes on Saturday, October 13 and sixth place in team sweepstakes on the second day of the tournament. Also, the team members earned nine individual Great Plains Athletic Conference Championships.
Northwestern University Conference Challenge, Saturday, October 13:
Miranda Klugezherz, a sophomore from Colorado Springs, Colo.
6th in Program of Oral Interpretation**
Jared Buskirk, a junior from Holdredge, Neb. 4th in Informative Speaking**
Trevor Brass, a senior from Lincoln, Neb. 4th in Extemporaneous Speaking**
5th in Impromptu Speaking**
4th in Editorial Impromptu
Aaron Pierce, a freshman from Cozad, Neb. 3rd in Editorial Impromptu
Sierra Walker, a sophomore from Gering, Neb. 2nd in Editorial Impromptu**
Northwestern University Conference Challenge, Sunday, October 14:
Hannah Davis, a senior from Grand Island, Neb. 2nd in Prose Interpretation**
Klugesherz 6th in Prose Interpretation
4th in Informative Speaking**
Walker 2nd in Editorial Impromptu**
Pierce 4th in Editorial Impromptu (tie)
Brass 4th in Editorial Impromptu
Buskirk 4th in Extemporaneous Speaking**
5th in Informative Speaking
Pierce 5th in Extemporaneous Speaking
6th in impromptu speaking
The HC Bronco Forensics team split during the weekend of October 20-12, with some members traveling to Minnesota River Swing in Mankato, Minn., and others to the Creighton Swing in Omaha, Neb. Also the team did not finish in the top five overall for either tournament, the individual members experienced individual success at both venues.
Minnesota River Swing, October 20th
Buskrik 5th in Extemporaneous Speaking
Klugesherz 1st in Informative Speaking
6th in Program of Oral Interpretation
Walker 2nd in Extemporaneous Speaking
Tommy Hendrix, a freshman from Omaha, Neb. 5th in Poetry
Minnesota River Swing, October 21st
Klugesherz 1st in Informative Speaking*
Buskirk 6th in Informative Speaking
5th in Extemporaneous Speaking
Hendrix 4th in Prose Interpretation
Walker 3rd in Impromptu Speaking
8th in Extemporaneous Speaking
Creighton Swing, October 20th
Davis 5th in Prose
Michael Dvorak, a senior from Oklahoma City, Okla., 1st in Extemporaneous Speaking* 4th in After Dinner Speaking 1st in Impromptu Speaking
Brass 5th in Extemporaneous Speaking
2nd in Persuasive Speaking
Aaron Pierce, a freshman from Cozad, Neb. 6th in impromptu.
Creighton Swing, October 21st
Dvorak 2nd in Extemporaneous Speaking
Brass 1st in Impromptu Speaking
3rd in persuasive
Jose Jiminez, a junior from Lexington, Neb. 5th in Dramatic Interpretation
Davis 6th in Prose Interpretation
Pierce 3rd in Extemporaneous Speaking
*This event has now qualified for the national tournament.
**This event earned a GPAC Championship.
The Hastings College forensics team has continued a long-running tradition of national competitive success, placing in the top 20 at the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET) for most of the past ten years, including 16th at AFA 2012 in San Marcos, Texas, and 18th at AFA 2011 in Kearney, Neb.
Note to Media: For more information, contact Dr. Kittie Grace, Director of Forensics, at (402) 461-461-7385.
