WKU forensics team wins world championship for 10th time

The WKU forensics team has won the International Forensic Association tournament for the 10th time.

WKU was named world champion in team sweepstakes, winning 11 individual event world championships along the way at the 2014 IFA international tournament March 14-19 in Paris, France. Other competing schools included George Mason University, Oregon State University, Arkansas State University and Texas Southern University. WKU closed out the final round of Lincoln-Douglas debate, as the only school remaining in the competition at that level. Also, all WKU students advanced to at least one elimination round at the tournament.

The team will now prepare for the national tournaments in April and will provide a free public showcase at the Downing Student Union Auditorium on March 29. The showcase begins at 7:30 p.m.; admission is free with the donation of one canned good.

Individual results for International Forensic Association international tournament are as follows:

• Nick Gilyard, a senior from Miami Gardens, Fla., world champion in poetry interpretation, second in informative speaking and third in duo interpretation (with Ray Roberts).
• Emma Collins, a junior from Chicago, Ill., world champion in impromptu speaking, second in after-dinner speaking, sixth in informative speaking and sixth in Parliamentary debate (with Carolyn Evans).
• Lindsey White, a senior from St. Paul, Minn., world champion in programmed oral interpretation, third in dramatic interpretation and fourth in prose interpretation.
• John Reynolds, a junior from Harlingen, Texas, world champion in dramatic interpretation, third in prose interpretation and semifinalist in after-dinner speaking.
• Rebekah Hall, a sophomore from Des Moines, Iowa, world co-champion in Lincoln-Douglas debate and third in impromptu speaking.
• Haddy Badjie, a sophomore from Lewisville, Texas, world champion in informative speaking and third in persuasive speaking.
• Brent O’Connor, a freshman from Plantation, Fla., world champion in duo interpretation (with Jamaque Newberry), sixth in prose interpretation and semifinalist in poetry interpretation.
• Jamaque Newberry, a junior from Tamarac, Fla., world champion in duo interpretation (with Brent O’Connor), sixth in programmed oral interpretation and semifinalist in prose interpretation.
• Janniqua Dawkins, a junior from Hollywood, Fla., world champion in persuasive speaking and semifinalist in informative speaking.
• Taylor Holcombe, a freshman from Blue Springs, Mo., world champion in prose interpretation.
• Spencer Orlowski, a senior from Davie, Fla., world co-champion in Lincoln-Douglas debate.
• Tyler Rife, a senior from Dayton, Ohio, second in poetry interpretation, third in informative speaking and semifinalist in dramatic interpretation.
• Lataya Williams, a sophomore from Falcon Heights, Minn., second in duo interpretation (with Darius Wilson), fourth in poetry interpretation and semifinalist in prose interpretation.
• Paige Settles, a sophomore from Floyds Knobs, Ind., second in communication analysis, fourth in persuasive speaking and semifinalist in impromptu speaking.
• Nefertiti Dukes, a junior from Miami Gardens, Fla., second in impromptu speaking and semifinalist in informative speaking.
• Darius Wilson, a junior from Blue Springs, Mo., second in duo interpretation (with Lataya Williams).
• Jasmine Jones, a sophomore from Elizabethtown, third in communication analysis, third in poetry interpretation, fourth in informative speaking and tied for fifth in Lincoln-Douglas debate.
• Ray Roberts, a junior from Houston, Texas, third in duo interpretation (with Nick Gilyard), fifth in prose interpretation and semifinalist in dramatic interpretation.
• Ashton Garber, a sophomore from Osprey, Fla., third in Lincoln-Douglas debate and fifth in persuasive speaking.
• Gabriella Devia-Allen, a senior from Davie, Fla., third in programmed oral interpretation and semifinalist in poetry interpretation.
• Brittany Broder, a sophomore from St. Charles, Mo., fourth in communication analysis.
• Richard Heyne, a senior from Sunrise, Fla., fourth in after-dinner speaking.
• Kristina Medero, a junior from Davie, Fla., fifth in informative speaking, tied for fifth in Lincoln-Douglas debate, sixth in persuasive speaking and semifinalist in poetry interpretation.
• Carolyn Evans, a freshman from Urbandale, Iowa, fifth in communication analysis, fifth in impromptu speaking and sixth in Parliamentary debate (with Emma Collins).
• Marshall Covert, a senior from St. Paul, Minn., sixth in impromptu speaking and semifinalist in dramatic interpretation.
• Emma Wilczynski, a senior from Florence, semifinalist in informative speaking.

More: Check out the WKU Forensics Facebook page.

Contact: Jace Lux, (270) 745-6340.