WKU News

WKU Forensics won the International Forensics Association championship in Dublin, Ireland. Front row (left to right): Noah Gordon, Jonah Johnson, Joseph Eberle, Tani Washington, Hannah Jones, Mauricio Patiño, Jade Ismail; second row (left to right) Sophie Todaro, Christian Butterfield, Ben Williams, JaKayla Brown, Cecilia Alali, Samantha Sallee; third row (left to right) Chase Shockley, Antonina Clementi, Jaleon Brown, Nik Schintgen, Caroline Chubb, Kirsten Eversmann; back row (left to right) Evan Grisham (graduate assistant), Seth Peckham (coach), Sean Diaz (coach), Ganer Newman (Director), Kole Ingram, Reesha Petty, Collin Tuerk.

WKU Forensics won the overall and individual sweepstakes championships at the 2024 International Forensics Association tournament March 11-12 in Dublin, Ireland.

Over 40 universities made the trip to Dublin to compete in a variety of debate and speech events. WKU took first place in five events and finished ahead of Bradley University, the University of Utah, Texas Southern University, Cornell University, and Las Positas College.

Senior Mauricio Patiño of Stockton, California, and junior Jonah Johnson of Burnsville, Minnesota, were recognized as the top students in the competition earning first and second place, respectively, in Individual Sweepstakes. 

“This experience was not only a triumph in competition but also a transformative journey for our team members,” Director of Forensics Ganer Newman said. “For many, it was their first venture beyond the borders of the United States. Witnessing their awe as they explored St. Patrick’s Cathedral, marveled at the ancient artistry of the Book of Kells, and stood atop the windy Cliffs of Moher, was truly one of my most rewarding experiences as director. From the rehearsal day on Sunday to the competition days on Monday and Tuesday, I took pride in our team's discipline and collegial camaraderie.

“We are eager to channel this enthusiasm into our final three competitions of the season: the LD Grand Prix, the Asynchronous Speech Championship, and the National Forensics Association Championship hosted by Central Michigan University in April.”

Results from the International Forensics Association Tournament are as follows:

• Communication Analysis: Christian Butterfield of Bowling Green, Kentucky, 3rd; Jaleon Brown of Kansas City, Kansas, 4th; Cecilia Alali of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 5th; Kole Ingram of Hindman, Kentucky, 7th. 
• Duo Interpretation: Noah Gordon of Pittsburg, California, and Jonah Johnson, Champion, Samantha Sallee of Richmond, Kentucky, and Mauricio Patiño, 4th.
• Poetry Interpretation: Mauricio Patiño, Champion; Jonah Johnson, 3rd; Cecilia Alali, 6th.
• Extemporaneous Speaking: Antonina Clementi of Lafayette, Louisiana, 3rd; Kole Ingram, Top 18; Tani Washington of Henrico, Virginia, Top 18.
• Prose Interpretation: Caroline Chubb of Lewis Center, Ohio, 3rd; Noah Gordon, Top 12.
• Impromptu Speaking: Christian Butterfield, Top 12.
• After Dinner Speaking:Christian Butterfield, Champion; Jade Ismail of Lafayette, Louisiana, 4th; Joseph Eberle of Maple Grove, Minnesota, 5th.
• Informative Speaking: Joseph Eberle, Champion; Mauricio Patiño, 2nd; Jaleon Brown, 3rd; Tani Washington, 4th.
• Program Oral Interpretation: Collin Tuerk of Morehead, Kentucky, 5th; Samantha Sallee, 7th; Nik Schintgen of Lansing, Kansas, Top 12.
• Dramatic Interpretation: Jade Ismail, Champion; Mauricio Patiño, 2nd; Jonah Johnson, 5th; Samantha Sallee, Top 14.
• Persuasive Speaking: Cecilia Alali, 2nd; Caroline Chubb, Top 12; Jaleon Brown, Top 12; Kirsten Eversmann of Harrisburg, Illinois, Top 12.
• National Parliamentary Debate: Antonina Clementi and Christian Butterfield, Top 8; Chase Shockley of Carthage, Missouri, and Kirsten Eversmann, Top 8.
• International Public Debate: Hannah Jones of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Top 32.

More: Check out the WKU Forensics Facebook page or follow @wkuforensics  and @DebateWku on X/Twitter.

Contact: Ganer Newman, (270) 745-6340.

-- WKU –

Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.