CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University’s Forensics (speech and debate) Team attended the Scheller Forensics Invitational Tournament on Jan. 28-30, 2022. Hosted by Pacific University, Forest Grove, the competition was held virtually this year due to Covid-19.
Junior Tasha Robinson, a Public Health major from Hillsboro, was best speaker and took first place in Open IPDA Debate. Senior Kaitlyn Blake, a Management major from Walnut Creek, Calif., was a quarterfinalist in Open IPDA Debate and also competed in Open Impromptu Speaking. Junior Megan Baus, a Chemical Engineering major from Salem, was fourth best speaker in Junior IPDA Debate and also competed in Open Prose. Freshman Faye Shapiro, a Psychology major from Berkeley, Calif., was a quarterfinalist in Junior IPDA Debate.
“This was an impressive showing for our first tournament of the term,” said Mark Porrovecchio, director of the team. “I am so proud of them.”
Also attending the tournament were Senior Simon Millsap, a Business Information Systems major from Portland, who competed in Open IPDA Debate; and Senior Anna Heslinga, an Environmental Science major from Salem, who competed in Junior Impromptu Speaking and Junior IPDA Debate.
The tournament, the third and final regional designated tournaments sanctioned by the Northwest Forensics Conference (NFC), featured dozens of schools including Whitworth University, Spokane, Wash.; Weber State University, Ogden, Utah; and Boise State University, Idaho. The team was recognized as a Division I (four-year colleges and universities) Bronze Program for their successes this season.
The team was coached by assistant coach Kaden Meyers of Sandy. Meyers is a former student competitor for OSU and recent MAIS graduate in the Speech Communication area of the School of Communication.
“The team has done well with virtual tournaments,” continued Porrovecchio. “I continue to be impressed with how they are flourishing under less than ideal circumstances.”
Celebrating its 129th 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) Anna Heslinga, Tasha Robinson, and Kaitlyn Blake; (bottom row, from left to right) Megan Baus, Simon Millsap, and Faye Shapiro enjoying a break between rounds.