Oregon State University’s Forensics (speech and debate) Team competed at the 53rd Annual Mike Dugaw Smelt Classic Forensics Tournament at Lower Columbia College, in Longview, Wash., on February 13-15, 2026. This was the fourth and final designated tournament of the season for the Northwest Forensics Conference (NFC).
Senior Veronica Robinson, a Psychology major from Portland, took sixth place in Open Informative Speaking, sixth in Open Informative Speaking, and was octofinalist in Open IPDA Debate. Freshman Casey Hermanson, a Climate Science and Economics major, from Bend, took fifth place in Junior Impromptu Speaking and was quarterfinalist in Junior IPDA Debate. Freshman Kaitlyn Johnson, a Biology major from Abilene, Texas, took third place in Junior Impromptu Speaking and also competed in Junior IPDA Debate. Freshman Myah Oswald, an Animal Science major from Boise, Idaho, took fourth place in Junior Program Oral Interpretation and was fourth best speaker in Junior IPDA Debate. Junior Shawn Horrocks, a Computer Science major from Salem, was second best speaker in Junior IPDA Debate and competed in Junior Impromptu Speaking. As a result of these wins, the team took the third place overall sweepstakes award at the tournament. The team was also recognized for their overall success this season with a Division II Silver Medal Award.
“This was an amazing way to end the regular season,” said Mark Porrovecchio, director of the team. “To have students across divisions do so well in both individual events and debate is a testament to this team’s abilities.”
The tournament featured eighteen schools from across the Northwest, including Whitworth University, Spokane, Wash.; Carroll College, Helena, Mont.; the University of Washington, Seattle; and the College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls.
Also competing at the tournament were Senior Nadir Isweesi, an Economics major from Benghazi, Libya, who competed in Novice Impromptu Speaking and Novice IPDA Debate; Senior Waleed Nahedh, a Business Administration major from Salem, who competed in Novice Impromptu Speaking and Novice IPDA Debate; Sophomore Ellie Lucas, a Sociology major from Salem, who competed in Open Impromptu Speaking, Open Poetic Interpretation, and Open IPDA Debate; and Sophomore Andy Root, a Chemistry major from Tualatin, who competed in Novice Impromptu Speaking and Novice IPDA Debate.
The team was coached by graduate student Megan Baus from Salem. Baus is a former competitor for OSU and a current MAIS graduate student in the Speech Communication area of the School of Communication. Team alumni and former assistant coach Evan Steele of Concord, Calif., also judged for the team at the tournament.
“Our results at Lower Columbia are a great sign of what’s to come next season,” continued Porrovecchio. “But, right now, we are focused on finishing the season by taking Veronica and Ellie to the International Forensics Association tournament in Athens, Greece, next month.”
Celebrating its 133rd season, OSU Forensics is one of the oldest clubs on campus and a member of the Performing Arts Board in the School of Communication. The team is open to all students in good academic standing regardless of experience or academic background. If you are a student interested in participating, or a member of the community who would like to support the team, please contact Porrovecchio at [email protected].
CONTACT:
Mark Porrovecchio
205 Shepard Hall`
737-8230
Photo: (from left to right) Kaitlyn Johnson, Andy Root, Shawn Horrocks, Veronica Robinson, Myah Oswald, Ellie Lucas, Casey Hermanson, Nadir Isweesi, and Waleed Nahedh taking a break near the world famous “Nutty Narrows” in Longview.