CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University’s Forensics (speech and debate) Team attended the 94th Annual Mahaffey Memorial Forensics Tournament on November 14-16, 2025, at Linfield University, McMinnville.
The tournament featured schools from across the Northwest Forensics Conference (NFC), including Whitworth University, Spokane, Wash.; Carroll College, Helena, Mont.; and Weber State University, Ogden, Utah.
Sophomore Ellie Lucas, a Sociology major from Bend, took first place and was eighth best speaker in IPDA Debate. She also competed in Junior Impromptu Speaking.
“I am really proud of Ellie,” said Mark Porrovecchio, director of the team. “This was only her second college tournament. She has a bright future ahead of her.”
Also attending the tournament were Senior Nadir Isweesi, an Economics major from Benghazi, Libya, who competed in Novice Impromptu Speaking and Novice IPDA Debate; First-year Casey Hermanson, a Climate Science and Economics major from Bend, who competed in Junior Impromptu Speaking and Junior IPDA Debate; sophomore Preetam Roy, a Computer Science major from Portland, who competed in Junior Impromptu Speaking and Junior IPDA Debate; and First-year Kaitlyn Johnson, a Biology major from Abilene, Texas, who competed in Junior Impromptu Speaking and Junior IPDA Debate.
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 a very competitive tournament,” continued Porrovecchio. “The team learned some valuable lessons they can apply the rest of the season. More importantly, they worked as a team and supported each other.”
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): Preetam Roy, Ellie Lucas, Nadir Isweesi, Casey Hermanson, and Kaitlyn Johnson enjoying the rare sunshine on the Linfield University campus between rounds.