The Gustavus Adolphus College Forensics Team traveled to Peoria, Illinois to compete in the 62nd annual L.E. Norton Memorial Tournament held on the campus of Bradley University. This year, 40 teams participated – many of which are top 20 American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament schools. In the end, Gustavus placed 7th in Team Sweepstakes – the first time the team has ever placed in the top ten at this prestigious tournament – and broke nine events to outrounds. The Gusties finished ahead of nationally ranked schools such Kansas State University, Arizona State University, Doane College, James Madison University, and Seton Hall.  Sophomore Chloe Radcliffe took 5th place in Individual Sweepstakes – becoming the first Gustie to place in the pentathlon at the tournament.

Team Sweepstakes

First Place: Western Kentucky University

Second Place: George Mason University

Third Place: Illinois State Univeristy

Fourth Place: Ohio University

Fifth Place: Northwestern University

Sixth Place: University of Nebraska Lincoln

Seventh Place: Gustavus Adolphus College

Individual Sweepstakes
Fifth Place: Chloe Radcliffe

Open CA
First Place: Chloe Radcliffe
Semifinalist: Mary Cunningham

Open Drama
Semifinalist: Sam Hemmerich

Open Extemp
Semifinalist: Mary Cunningham

Novice Impromptu
Fifth: Christopher Moua

Open Impromptu
Fourth Place: Mary Cunningham

Novice Persuasion
First Place: Christopher Moua
Second Place: Kate Bissen

Open Prose
Semifinalist: Chloe Radcliffe

Over Halloween Weekend, five members of the Gustavus Adolphus College Forensics Team traveled to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia to compete in the first annual Match Made in Heaven Tournament, co-hosted by James Madison University and the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. While small in numbers, the Gusties made up in competitive talent, taking second place in Team Sweepstakes both days of the Swing Tournament, placing ahead of nationally ranked teams from George Mason University and California State University – Long Beach

Match Made in Heaven – Day #1

Team Sweepstakes
First Place: Bradley University
Second Place: Gustavus Adolphus College
Third Place: California State University – Long Beach
Fourth Place: George Mason University
Fifth Place: Cedar Crest College
After Dinner Speaking
Second Place: CJ Hunt
Communication Analysis
First Place: Phil Helt
Second Place: Mary Cunningham
Drama
Fifth Place: Luke Youngvorst
DUO
Sixth Place: CJ Hunt/ Sam Hemmerich
Extemporaneous Speaking
Fifth Place: Luke Youngvorst
Sixth Place: Phil Helt
Impromptu Speaking
Second Place: Mary Cunningham
Persuasion
Second Place: Mary Cunningham
Program Oral Interpretation 
Fourth Place: CJ Hunt
Prose
Fifth Place: Sam Hemmerich
Sixth Place: Phil Helt

Match Made in Heaven – Day #2
Team Sweepstakes
First Place: Bradley University
Second Place: Gustavus Adolphus College
Third Place: California State University – Long Beach
Fourth Place: George Mason University
Fifth Place: Cedar Crest College
After Dinner Speaking
Sixth Place: CJ Hunt
Communication Analysis
Second Place: Phil Helt
Fourth Place: Mary Cunningham
Extemporaneous Speaking
Third Place: Mary Cunningham
Fourth Place: Luke Youngvorst
Fifth Place: Phil Helt
Impromptu Speaking
Third Place: Mary Cunningham
Persuasion
Second Place: Luke Youngvorst
Fourth Place: Mary Cunningham
Program Oral Interp
Second Place: CJ Hunt

Bill Robertz Invitational, GAC – October 18, 2009

On October 17 and 18, Minnesota State University – Mankato and Gustavus Adolphus College hosted two tournaments to honor two of Forensics’ most influential figures. First, on Saturday, Minnesota State University – Mankato hosted the Larry Schnoor Invitational in honor of Dr. Larry Schnoor, the current Tournament Director of the AFA-NIET. On Sunday, Gustavus hosted the third annual Bill Robert Invitational in recognition of Dr. Bill Robertz, who taught in the Gustavus Department of Speech Communication from 1957-1995 as well as helped foster the Forensics Program here at Gustavus.

The Gustavus Forensics Team had a successful weekend, earning first place in Team Sweepstakes on Saturday. While the upperclassmen took up hosting duties on Sunday, the first-year members of the team still competed and shined on their own with several finalists.

Larry Schnoor Invitational, Oct. 17

Team Sweepstakes

First Place: Gustavus Adolphus College

Second Place: Illinois State University

Third Place: University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire

Individual Sweepstakes
First Place: Chloe Radcliffe
Communication Analysis
First Place: Chloe Radcliffe
Fourth Place: Phil Helt
Sixth Place: Mary Cunningham
Drama
Second Place: Chloe Radcliffe
Sixth Place: Emma Moreau
DUO:
Second Place: CJ Hunt/ Sam Hemmerich
Extemporaneous Speaking 
First Place: Mary Cunningham
Third Place: Claire Sagstuen
Sixth Place: Allegra Birdseye
Impromptu Speaking
Fourth Place: Claire Sagstuen
Informative Speaking
Fourth Place: Luke Youngvorst
Fifth Place: Sam Hemmerich
Persuasion
Third Place: Mary Cunningham
Fifth Place: Chris Moua
Poetry
Sixth Place: CJ Hunt
Program Oral Interpretation 
Third Place: CJ Hunt
Prose
First Place: Chloe Radcliffe
Sixth Place: Phil Helt

Bill Robertz Invitational, Oct. 19

Impromptu Speaking
Sixth Place: Eric Halvorson
Eighth Place: Kate Bissen
Program Oral Interpretation
Fifth Place: Vanessa Condon

Day 2: K-State Speech Unlimited Alumni Tournament
Overall Team Sweepstakes:
First Place: University of Nebraska-Omaha
Second Place: Gustavus Adolphus College
Third Place: Concordia College, Moorhead
Overall Individual Sweepstakes:
Third Place: Luke Youngvorst
Communication Analysis:
First Place: Phil Helt
Third Place: Mary Cunningham
Fifth Place: Chloe Radcliffe
Drama:
First Place: Chloe Radcliffe
Third Place: Sam Hemmerich
DUO:
Third Place: CJ Hunt/ Sam Hemmerich
Extemporaneous Speaking:
Fourth Place: Mary Cunningham
Sixth Place: Claire Sagstuen
Impromptu:
Second Place: Claire Sagstuen
Informative:
First Place: Luke Youngvorst
Persuasion:
First Place: Chris Moua
Second Place: Luke Youngvorst
Fifth Place: Hannah Engel
POI:
Fifth Place: CJ Hunt
Prose:
Third Place: Chloe Radcliffe
Fifth Place: Eric Halvorson

The Gustavus Adolphus College Forensics team had a great start to the 2009-2010 with a strong showing this weekend at the fist and second Mid-American Forensics League Tournaments. Hosted jointly by Harper College (Palatine, IL) and by North Central College (Naperville, IL), these highly competitive tournaments featured several top 20 AFA schools including Bradley University and Illinois State University.

MAFL#1 at Harper College

Team Sweepstakes:
First Place: Bradley University
Second Place: Illinois State University
Third Place: Gustavus Adolphus College
Fourth Place: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Fifth Place: Northern Illinois University

Communication Analysis:
First Place: Phillip Helt
Sixth Place: Mary Cunningham

Drama:
Second Place: Chloe Radcliffe
Fourth Place: Sam Hemmerich

DUO:
Third Place: Christopher Hunt/ Sam Hemmerich

Extemporaneous Speaking:
First Place: Mary Cunningham
Sixth Place: Allegra Birdseye

Persuasion:
First Place: Christopher Moua

Poetry:
Sixth Place: Christopher Hunt

POI:
Second Place: Christopher Hunt

Prose:
First Place: Chloe Radcliffe

MAFL#2 at Harper College

Team Sweepstakes:
First Place: Illinois State University
Second Place: Bradley University
Third Place: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Fourth Place: Gustavus Adolphus College
Fifth Place: University of Northern Iowa

Communication Analysis:
Second Place: Chloe Radcliffe

Drama:
Second Place: Chloe Radcliffe

DUO:
Third Place: Christopher Hunt/ Sam Hemmerich

Persuasion:
First Place: Christopher Moua
Sixth Place: Mary Cunningham

POI:
First Place: Christopher Hunt

Prose:
Second Place: Chloe Radcliffe
Sixth Place: Sam Hemmerich

Sophomore communication studies majors Emma Moreau and MaryCunningham represented Minnesota and Gustavus Adolphus College at the 134^thInterstate Oratorical Association National Contest held in Madison, Wisconsin.Moreau became the first Gustavus student since 1974 to advance to the finalround, placing 4^th overall with an oration advocating for sodiumregulation. Cunningham advanced to the semifinal round, making Gustavus theonly school to advance two students to the semifinal round.

The Interstate Oratorical Association National Contest isthe oldest annual collegiate speaking contest, dating back to 1874. Each stateis allowed two participants. Twenty-four states were represented, and Gustavuswas one of seven states to have two students representing their respectivestate. Gustavus has represented Minnesota four consecutive years.

The semifinal rounds were held in the Grand Army of theRepublic Memorial Hearing Room located in the Wisconsin State Capitol. The GARwas originally used by Civil War veterans to hold ceremonies and to honor thoselost in war. The room is now used for public hearings and as the caucus roomfor the Assembly majority party.

The final round was held in The Assembly Chamber located inthe Wisconsin State Capitol. The Assembly meets in the room to debate and voteon bills. 

The Gustavus Adolphus College Forensics Team participated in the 31^st American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET) April 5-7 on the University of Texas at Austin campus, earning a top 20 national ranking for the second consecutive year. This accomplishment is especially impressive considering 15 of the top 20 schools are Division I schools. 89 colleges and universities competed in the three-day competition. Viewed by many as the most competitive national forensics tournament in the country, the AFA-NIET awards team sweepstakes trophies to only the top 20 schools.

Senior Brittney Lovdahl became the third Gustavus student in six years to be named to the AFA-NIET All-American Team. Past recipients include Andrea Carlile, 2007 and Becky Kuehl, 2005.

Sophomore Emma Moreau became the first Gustavus student to qualify for the semifinal round in Persuasion, placing her in the top 12 out of 135 competitors in the nation.

Sophomore Mary Cunningham qualified for the quarterfinal round in Persuasion, placing her in the top 24 in the nation. 

Top 20 Schools:

1. Western Kentucky University

2. Bradley University

3. University of Texas at Austin

4. Kansas State University

5. George Mason University

6. University of Alabama

7. Arizona State University

8. California State, Long Beach

9. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

10. Illinois State University

11. West Texas A&M University

12. Hastings College

13. University of Nebraska-Omaha

14. University of Texas El Paso

15. Seton Hall University

16. Saint Josephs’s University

17. Doane College

18. James Madison University

19. Rice University

20. Gustavus Adolphus College

The following students competed:

1. Brittney Lovdahl (SR): Program Oral Interpretation, Poetry, Dramatic Duo, Communication Analysis, Informative Speaking

2. Maria Siegle (JR): Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, Persuasion

3. Tasha Carlson (JR): Dramatic Duo, Drama, Prose, Program Oral Interpretation

4. Kavan Rogness (JR): Informative Speaking, Prose, Poetry, Drama, Dramatic Duo

5. Brittani Seagren (JR): Impromptu Speaking

6. Emma Moreau (SO): Persuasion, Impromptu Speaking, Prose, Drama, After Dinner Speaking, Program Oral Interpretation

7. Mary Cunningham (SO): Persuasion, Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Informative Speaking, Poetry

8. Christopher Hunt (SO): Program Oral Interpretation, Prose, Poetry, After Dinner Speaking

9. Paula Wiggam (SO): Drama, Program Oral Interpretation

10. Sean Maertens (SO): Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking

11. Alex Brakke (SO): Prose, Dramatic Duo

12. Phil Helt (FR): Persuasion, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, After Dinner Speaking, Communication Analysis, Prose

13. Austin Lafferty (FR): Extemporaneous Speaking, Informative Speaking, Impromptu Speaking

14. Claire Sagstuen (FR): Persuasive Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking

15. Marie Bushnell (FR): Program Oral Interpretation

    Kansas in Nebraska Swing

January 26-27, 2008

The Gustavus Adolphus College Forensics team placed THIRD out of 12 schools at the half hosted by Kansas State and SECOND out of 12 schools at the half host by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Team Sweepstakes Day One:

First: Illinois State University

Second: Doane College

Third: Gustavus Adolphus College

Extemporaneous Speaking:

Claire Sagstuen: 1^st place

Brittani Seagren: 3^rd place

Mary Cunningham: 6^th place

Persuasive Speaking:

Emma Moreau: 2^nd place

Poetry:

Kavan Rogness: 4^th place

Mary Cunningham: 5^th place

Program Oral Interpretation:

CJ Hunt: 4^th place

Kavan Rogness: 5^th place

Informative Speaking:

Mary Cunningham: 3^rd place

Kavan Rogness: 4^th place

Claire Sagstuen: 5^th place

Austin Lafferty: 6^th place

Dramatic Interpretation:

Kavan Rogness: 3^rd place

Team Sweepstakes Day Two:

First: Illinois State University

Second: Gustavus Adolphus College

Third: Hastings College

Extemporaneous Speaking:

Mary Cunningham: 1^st place

Phil Helt: 3^rd place

Persuasive Speaking:

Emma Moreau: 3^rd place

Poetry:

CJ Hunt: 5^th place

Program Oral Interpretation:

CJ Hunt: 3^rd place

Kavan Rogness: 4^th place

After Dinner Speaking:

CJ Hunt: 6^th place

Impromptu Speaking:

Claire Sagstuen: 3^rd place

Informative Speaking:

Mary Cunningham: 2^nd place

Kavan Rogness: 3^rd place

Communication Analysis:

Phil Helt: 4^th place

Dramatic Interpretation:

Kavan Rogness: 3^rd place

Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association State Championships

February 16-17, 2008

Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association State ChampionshipsFebruary 16-17, 2008The Gustavus Adolphus College Forensics team placed FIRST out of nine schools at the Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association State Championships. The Gusties placed FIRST in eight of the twelve events, placing second in two others. The Gustavus Forensics team also was awarded the Greg Lapanta Quality Award. This award is based on the number of points earned divided by the number of slots entered. Gustauvs averaged 10.18 points per event entered. Mary Cunningham and Emma Moreau will represent Minnesota at the 2008 Interstate Oratorical Association National Contest, the oldest annual speaking competition. This marks the fourth consecutive year Gustavus will have a representative at the IOA National Contest. Gustavus has qualified both IOA National Contest slots for the second consecutive year.

Overall Team Sweepstakes

First:                 Gustavus Adolphus College = 499 points

Second:             Minnesota State-Mankato = 397 points

Third:                Concordia College = 144 points

Individual Sweepstakes

First:                 Emma Moreau

Second:             Mary Cunningham

Fifth:                 Christopher Hunt

Sixth:                 Kavan Rogness

Seventh:            Maria Siegle

Tenth:                Tasha Carlson

Final results:

ADS:

Christopher Hunt- 1^st place

Phil Helt- 5^th place

Communication Analysis:

Brittney Lovdahl-1^st place

Phil Helt- 5^th place

Duo:

Brittney Lovdahl/Tasha Carlson- 1^st place

Kavan Rogness/ Alex Brakke- 2^nd place

Paula Wiggam/Phil Helt- 6^th place

Drama:

Emma Moreau- 2^nd place

Kavan Rogness- 3^rd place

Tasha Carlson- 4^th place

Extemporaneous Speaking:

Austin Lafferty- 2^nd place

Mary Cunningham- 3^rd place

Maria Siegle- 6^th place

Impromptu:

Emma Moreau- 1^st place

Mary Cunningham- 2^nd place

Maria Siegle- 5^th place

Claire Sagstuen- 6^th place

Informative:

Maria Siegle- 1^st place

Mary Cunningham- 2^nd place

Brittney Lovdahl- 4^th place

Kavan Rogness- 5^th place

Oratory:

Mary Cunningham- 1^st place

Emma Moreau- 2^nd place

Phil Helt-3^rd place

Maria Siegle- 5^th place

Poetry:

Christopher Hunt- 2^nd place

Kavan Rogness- 3^rd place

POI:

Emma Moreau- 1^st place 

Christopher Hunt- 2^nd place

Prose:

Tasha Carlson- 1^st place

Kavan Rogness- 4^th place

Emma Moreau- 6^th place

Parliamentary Debate: Mary Cunningham & Claire Sagstuen

January 12-13

 The Gustavus Adolphus College Forensics team competed in the Hell Froze Over Swing hosted by the University of Texas-Austin and Bradley University on the UT-Austin campus. Both tournaments attracted most of the top 20 programs in the country, totaling 47 schools. With more than 80 plus competitors per event, the Gusties broke six entries to the Semi-Final Round. Dramatic Interp: (96 entries)Emma Moreau: Semi-Finalist Impromptu Speaking: (114 entries)Emma Moreau: Semi-Finalist Persuasive Speaking: (89 entries)Emma Moreau: Semi-FinalistMary Cunningham: Semi-Finalist Informative Speaking: (111 Entries)Mary Cunningham: Semi-Finalist