CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University’s Forensics (speech and debate) Team attended the 93rd Annual Mahaffey Memorial Forensics Tournament at Linfield University in McMinnville, on November 10-12, 2023. This was the second designated Northwest Forensics Conference (NFC) of the season. The tournament was again held virtually this year.
Senior Megan Baus, an Ecological Engineering major from Salem, took sixth place in Open Program Oral Interpretation and placed fifth in Open Poetry Interpretation. Senior Emerson Pearson, a Political Science major from Beaverton, took first place in Novice Impromptu Speaking, and was ninth best speaker and a quarterfinalist in Novice IPDA Debate. First-year student Eileen Miller, an Exploratory Studies major from Redmond, Wash., was a semi-finalist in Novice Impromptu Speaking, and third best speaker and a semi-finalist in Novice IPDA Debate.
“Yet again, an exceptional showing from both new and returning students,” said Mark Porrovecchio, director of the team. “This is probably the team’s best start to a season in recent memory.”
The tournament featured over thirty schools from across the NFC and beyond, including Boise State University, Idaho; Carroll College, Helena, Mont.; William Carey University, Hattiesburg, Miss.; and Lynn University, Boca Raton, Fla.
Also attending the tournament was Junior Rayna Voltin, a Biology major from Silverton, who competed in Novice Impromptu Speaking and Novice IPDA Debate. The team was coached by assistant coach Tasha Robinson from Hillsboro. Robinson is a former student competitor for OSU and a current MAIS graduate student in the Speech Communication area of the School of Communication.
“Virtual tournaments are a good way to prepare for in-person events,” continued Porrovecchio. “And Linfield University always hosts a very competitive selection of schools.”
Celebrating its 131st 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 mark.porrovecchio@oregonstate.edu.
CONTACT:
Mark Porrovecchio
205 Shepard Hall
737-8230
Photo (from left to right): Eileen Miller and Megan Baus taking a break from virtual competition. Rayna Voltin and Emerson Pearson took part in the tournament off-campus.