CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University’s Forensics (speech and debate) Team hosted the 4th Annual Earl Wells Virtual Speakeasy from their campus in Corvallis. Virtual tournaments, started during the pandemic, are conducted entirely online.
The tournament featured over two dozen schools from across the Northwest Forensics Conference (NFC) and beyond, including Whitworth University, Spokane, Wash.; Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; and the University of Illinois, Springfield.
Sophomore Ellie Lucas, a Sociology major from Bend, was fifth best speaker and took Bronze in Novice IPDA Debate and competed in Novice Impromptu Speaking; Senior Veronica Robinson, a Psychology major from Portland, took sixth place in Open Informative Speaking and competed in Open Impromptu Speaking; Freshman Evrek Smith, a Psychology and Political Science major from Banks, took Silver in Novice IPDA Debate and competed in Novice Impromptu Speaking; Senior Waleed Nahedh, a Business Administration major from Salem, took Bronze in Novice IPDA Debate and competed in Novice Impromptu Speaking; Freshman Casey Hermanson, a Climate Science and Economics major, from Bend, took Silver in Open IPDA Debate and competed in Open Impromptu Speaking; Senior Nadir Isweesi, an Economics major from Benghazi, Libya, was eighth best speaker in Novice IPDA Debate and competed Novice Impromptu Speaking; and Junior Shawn Horrocks, a Computer Science major from Salem, was tenth best speaker in Novice IPDA Debate and competed Novice Impromptu Speaking.
“This was an exceptional showing by our team at our own tournament,” said Mark Porrovecchio, director of the team. “Even though it was virtual, it was great to host so many competitive schools from around the country.”
Also at the tournament were Freshman Kaitlyn Johnson, a Biology major from Abilene, Texas, who competed in Open IPDA Debate and Open Impromptu Speaking; Sophomore Andy Root, a Chemistry major from Tualatin, who competed in Novice IPDA Debate and Novice Impromptu Speaking; Sophomore Preetam Roy, a Computer Science major from Portland, who competed in Open Impromptu Speaking; Sophomore Arnav Sharma, a Computer Science major from Beaverton, who competed in Novice IPDA Debate and Novice Impromptu Speaking; and Freshman Myah Oswald, an Animal Science major from Boise, Idaho, who competed in Open Program Oral Interpretation.
The team was coached by assistant coach Megan Baus from Salem. Baus is a former student competitor for OSU and a current MAIS graduate student in the Speech Communication area of the School of Communication.
“This was the final tournament of the term,” continued Porrovecchio. “It sets us up quite nicely for the rest of the season in 2026.”
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: top row (from left to right): Casey Hermanson, Evrek Smith, and Andy Root; bottom row (from left to right): Veronica Robinson; Ellie Lucas; Kaitlyn Johnson, and Myah Oswald.