Falcon Forensics and Debate Team makes school history

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Bowing Green State University’s Falcon Forensics and Debate Team proved once again it is one of the top teams in the country. For the first time in school history, the team placed in all six team divisions at the National Comprehensive Tournament (NCT) held March 15-19 in Kansas City, Mo.

BGSU walked away with second in the nation in Forensic Events, first in Student Congress, first in Reader’s Theatre, and third in Overall Combined Sweepstakes and won this year’s NCT Championship trophy. Team members collectively earned 33 national awards, including national championships in Reader’s Theatre and Criticism.

Nicholas Blaine, a senior from Sylvania, and Rachel Rine, a junior from Bowling Green, both placed in Pentathlon, which makes them two of the top 10 overall speakers in the nation. Blaine also received a second place in To Honor Scholarship.

Spencer Colie, a freshman from Heyworth, Ill., placed second in the nation in Informative Speaking.

BGSU competed against teams from the University of Texas, Notre Dame University, the University of Michigan and Yale University, among others. This is the ninth national team honor earned by BGSU since 2007.

This year’s national success concludes an outstanding season where BGSU earned top team honors at 14 tournaments in a row, from Boston to Tennessee. Every one of BGSU’s team members qualified for nationals in at least two events.  

“This was an amazing season, especially since our team is so young.” said Paul Wesley Alday, director of forensics and an instructor of interpersonal communication at BGSU. “Eighty percent of our team members are freshmen and sophomores, which makes the future look exceptionally bright for the program.”

The team will showcase its national award-winning performances at 7 p.m. April 11 in 111 Olscamp Hall. The free event will feature the national champion Reader’s Theatre and speeches from state and national finals.

Forensics and Debate is a co-curricular, competitive program offered through the School of Media and Communication and Department of Communication.

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Photo Caption: Paul Wesley Alday, Mary Ellen Mazey and members of the Falcon Forensics and Debate Team with the NCT Championship trophy.

(Posted March 23, 2012 )