Forensic Falcons Win at Bradley

SIC Forensic Falcons bested all other community college in their first tournament of the year. Pictured (front row, L-R) are Collin Sexton (Norris City), William Pugsley (Carmi), Jacob Rice (Marion), Billy Lewis (Carrier Mills), Tucker Murphy (Golconda), Bradley Frailey (Harrisburg), and Kale Rister (Carrier Mills). Back row (L-R): Nick Triplett (Galatia), Alex Morris (Carrier Mills), Tiffany Turner (Galatia), Jasmine Teston (Harrisburg), Kenzee Dycus (Mount Vernon), Addie Mays (Mount Vernon), Shainna Ralston (Eldorado), and Alex Peebels (Carrier Mills).

SIC’s Forensic Falcons were the top community college this weekend at Bradley University’s 72nd Annual L.E. Norton Invitational in Peoria. The speech team finished fifth overall among 28 colleges and universities from across the country, including George Mason University, the University of Alabama, and Illinois State University.

“The team is off to a strong start,” noted Coach Paul Cummins. “They worked hard, and they went to the tournament prepared.”

“The spirit of the team really showed through,” adds Jasmine Teston, a sophomore from Harrisburg. “Everyone supported each other. No one made it about themselves.”

The team will compete next at Elgin Community College Dec. 6-7. Each tournament serves as preparation for the 2020 Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team is coached by Jenny Billman, Dr. Tyler Billman, and Paul Cummins.

The Forensic Falcons advanced 14 entries to final rounds. Individual results from the tournament are as follows.

Kenzee Dycus (Mount Vernon): 2^nd persuasion, 4^th after dinner speaking

Billy Lewis (Carrier Mills): 4^th dramatic interpretation, 5^th prose interpretation

Nick Triplett (Galatia): 4^th informative speaking, 5^th extemporaneous speaking

Tucker Murphy (Golconda): 5^th communication analysis, 5^th after dinner speaking

Addie Mays (Mount Vernon): 1^st communication analysis

Jasmine Teston (Harrisburg): 2^nd communication analysis

Bradley Frailey (Harrisburg): 2^nd after dinner speaking

Shainna Ralston (Eldorado): 3^rd persuasion

Tiffany Turner (Galatia): 6^th prose interpretation

Collin Sexton (Norris City): 7^th extemporaneous speaking

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