CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University’s Forensics (speech and debate) Team attended the Boxer Rebellion Forensics Tournament at Pacific University, in Forest Grove, Ore., on Oct. 16-28.
The tournament, a more recent addition to the Northwest Forensics Conference (NFC) calendar, featured nearly a dozen school from the region, including: Whitworth University, Spokane, Wash.; the University of Washington, Vancouver; and Lewis and Clark College, Portland.
Freshman Coi Holloway, a pre-Forestry student from Medford, was best speaker and a quarterfinalist in Open IPDA Debate. He also competed in Open Impromptu Speaking. Senior Kaden Meyers, a Political Science major from Sandy, was fourth best speaker in Open IPDA Debate, and also competed in Open Impromptu Speaking and Open Extemporaneous Speaking.
“Holloway has been on the team for only a few weeks and was already able to hold his own against some of the best senior-level competitors in the region” said Mark Porrovecchio, direct of the team. “It is nice to see a freshman like him and a senior like Meyers achieve success.”
Holloway and Meyers were joined at the tournament by several peers. Senior Jocelyn Conroy, a Chemistry Major from Omaha, Neb., competed in IPDA Debate, and Junior Impromptu Speaking. Senior Austin Carsh, a Political Science major from Tigard, competed in Open IPDA Debate, Open Impromptu Speaking, and Open Extemporaneous Speaking. Junior Uwe Keist, a Political Science major from Corvallis, competed in Open IPDA Debate, Open Impromptu Speaking, and Open Extemporaneous Speaking. Sophomore Victoria Elligsen, a History/Anthropology major from Nehalem, competed in Novice IPDA Debate and Novice Impromptu. Freshman Brandy Quach, a pre-Engineering student from Portland, competed in Novice Impromptu Speaking.
The team was coached by graduate assistant Evan Steele of Concord, Calif. Steele is a MAIS student in the Speech Communication area of the School of Arts and Communication.
“It is a wonderful thing having such a competitive tournament right in our backyard,” said Porrovecchio. “This was a great experience for everyone and especially for Holloway and Meyers.”
Celebrating its 126th season, OSU Forensics is one of the oldest clubs on campus and a member of the Performing Arts Board in the School of Arts and 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 mark.porrovecchio@oregonstate.edu.
Pictured (l-r): Uwe Keist, Austin Carsh, Brandy Quach, Coi Holloway, Victoria Elligsen, Jocelyn Conroy, and Kaden Meyers (not pictured: Evan Steele).