COD Forensics Team Second at State Competition; Three Students Take Individual Golds
The College of DuPage Forensics team placed second while three students took individual golds at the Illinois Intercollegiate Forensics Association Tournament.
Lauren Morgan, professor of Speech Communications, also received the 2013 Dennis-Ross Award for Outstanding Coaching. This award is voted on by the student competitors at the tournament and recognizes an Illinois coach who exemplifies fellowship, dedication and excellence.
The tournament brings together teams from Illinois community colleges and four-year institutions from across the state in head-to-head competition. Community college students can reach finals in both the two-year and four-year (Open) divisions. The following team members placed in both the Open and Community College Divisions:
Shawn Anaya (Wheaton): First place, Reader's Theater (with Kelsey Figiel and Subhan Suhail); second place, Duo Interpretation (with Suhail); four place, Dramatic Interpretation; sixth place, Prose Interpretation
Harry Bodell (Woodridge): Second place, Parliamentary Debate (with partner Steve Perry); third place, Communication Analysis; third place, Extemporaneous Speaking
Austin Carlquist (Downers Grove): Second place, Informative Speaking; fifth place, Poetry Interpretation
Abby Escatel (Riverside): Third place, Communication Analysis (Open Division); fourth place, Oratory
Kelsey Figiel (Wheaton): First place, Reader's Theater (with Shawn Anaya and Subhan Suhail)
Steve Perry (Bloomingdale): Second place, Parliamentary Debate (with partner Harry Bodell); sixth place, Extemporaneous Speaking Connor Sofia (Villa Park): Sixth place, Poetry Interpretation
Subhan Suhail (Downers Grove): First place, Reader's Theater (with Shawn Anaya and Kelsey Figiel); second place, Duo Interpretation (with Shawn Anaya); third place Prose Interpretation; sixth place, Program Oral Interpretation (Open Division)
Also joining the team were Erin Aniolowski (Carol Stream), Carolyn Clarke (Glen Ellyn), Ricardo Guerrero (Elmhurst), and Matt Mayorga (Geneva).
The team will complete its season at the Phi Rho Pi Regional Tournament in Elgin on March 22 and 23 and the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament April 14 to 21 in Los Angeles. Coaches are Morgan, Jude Geiger, Chris Miller, Mia Poston, all full-time faculty in Speech Communication, and alumnus Matt Beifuss.
The team will present public performances of their events at the annual Night of Gold showcase on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 2 and 3. For more information on the Forensics team, email morgan@cod.edu.