Weber State Speech Takes First Place at National Online Forensics Championship

OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University’s speech team won first place overall at the National Online Forensics Championship, competing against 50 different universities, including Northern Arizona University, Bowling Green, Texas State University and the University of California San Diego. 

“This is a huge feather in our cap for a new and upcoming team,” said Mark Galaviz, head coach. “The dedication it takes for a team to compete against other talented universities is immense, and our students exemplify that work.”

This year Weber State has maintained its Gold Medal program status in the region; only two schools qualified for this honor in the Pacific Northwest, northern California and Utah. At every tournament the team has attended, it has placed in the top four. The team will continue its competition with the Comprehensive Finals in April.

“Speech and debate gives me the opportunity to work on my advocacy and interpersonal communication skills,” said team member Jazmyne Olson. “I love being able to engage in discourse with other college students across the country on different issues from job outsourcing to representation in the media.” 

Individual student awards from the National Online Forensics Championship included:

Individual Debate (IPDA): 
Jazmyne Olson, first place 
Karina Barboza, second place
Bex Baggett, bronze medal 
Brad Baker, bronze medal
Sophie Beck, bronze medal

Communication Analysis
Jazmyne Olson, finalist

After Dinner Speaking: 
Rae Adler, champion 

Extemporaneous: 
Bex Baggett, co-champion 
Brad Baker, co-champion
Akir Rowe, third place

Prose: 
Lily Nunley, third place

Program Interpretation: 
Sophie Beck, third place
Bex Baggett, fourth place

Dramatic Interpretation:
Saxony Ruckman, fourth place

Poetry Interpretation:
Rae Adler, third place 

Debate Speaker Points: 
Sophie Beck, sixth place
Brad Baker, ninth place 

Duo Interpretation:
Bex Baggett, champion 
Akir Rowe, champion 

The team will compete at a final national tournament April 14-20 in Illinois. On April 23 at 6 p.m. in the Elizabeth Hall Auditorium, the team will celebrate its year-long success with an event for students to showcase their best presentations. The event will be free and open to the public.

“A trophy is nice to have at the end of a tournament,” Olson said. “However, it’s the interactions with my team and competitors that makes the work worth it to me.” 

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Kennedy Jones, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • kennedyjones1@weber.edu 

Contact:

Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu