Forensic Falcons are 2021 Illinois State Champions

The 2021 Illinois State Champion SIC Forensic Falcons are (l-r) Addie Mays, Nick Triplett, Kale Rister, Shainna Ralston, Hunter Rechsteiner, Bradley Frailey, Addie Hanks, Tiffany Turner, Javen Wendler, Collin Sexton. Not pictured: Haley Rice.

HARRISBURG, IL (March 9, 2021) – Southeastern Illinois College’s Forensic Falcons were named overall state champions in the community college division at the Illinois Intercollegiate Forensic Association March 6, earning both first place in the team individual events category and second in the team debate category. SIC advanced 34 of their 36 events to either the University (Open) or Community College (Two Year) final rounds at the Illinois Intercollegiate Forensic Association State Tournament, with every team member advancing at least one event.

Local students Bradley Frailey, Nick Triplett, Addie Hanks, Collin Sexton, Addie Mays, and Tiffany Turner earned state championships at the event, which was online with COVID-safe precautions. Bradley Frailey, Nick Triplett, Addie Hanks, Shainna Ralston, and Javen Wendler also received open finals awards, which means they placed among the top six overall competitors from any college or university in the state.

“Our team has invested countless hours in their events and in their teammates’ events,” noted Director of Forensics Jenny Billman. “To adapt and preserve as they have speaks volumes.”

Individual results from the tournament are as follows. Awards are in the two-year division unless otherwise noted. The team is coached by Jenny Billman, John Corum, and Paul Cummins.

Bradlee Frailey, Harrisburg: State champion in individual events sweepstakes, State champion in poetry, state champion in duo interpretation (with partner Addie Hanks), 2^nd OPEN Program Oral Interpretation, 4^th Speech to Entertain

Nick Triplett, Galatia: Tournament champion in communication analysis, 1^st place International Public Debate Association (IPDA) speaker award, 2^nd extemporaneous speaking, 2^nd Two Year Parliamentary Debate, 2^nd in individual events sweepstakes, 4^th OPEN Impromptu, 4^th parliamentary debate speaker, quarterfinalist OPEN IPDA

Addie Hanks, Harrisburg: State champion in duo interpretation, Top Novice Poetry, 2^nd in OPEN poetry interpretation, 2^nd Two Year Dramatic Interpretation, 3^rd individual event sweepstakes, 6^th speech to entertain

Collin Sexton, Norris City: State champion in impromptu speaking, state champion in extemporaneous speaking, 2^nd parliamentary debate, 3^rd informative speaking, Semifinalist IPDA, 3^rd parliamentary debate speaker, 4^th IPDA speaker, 5^th individual event sweeps

Tiffany Turner, Raleigh: State champion in dramatic interpretation, state champion in persuasion, 3^rd prose interpretation, 4^th poetry interpretation

Addie Mays, Mt. Vernon: State champion in prose interpretation, 3^rd communication analysis, 3^rd persuasion

Shainna Ralston, Eldorado: 2^nd communication analysis, 2^nd persuasion, 5^th OPEN Dramatic Interpretation

Haley Rice, Stonefort: Top Novice prose interpretation, Top novice communication analysis, 2^nd information speaking, 4^th prose interpretation, 5^th communication analysis, 5^th persuasive speaking

Kale Rister, Carrier Mills: 3^rd impromptu speaking, 5^th dramatic interpretation

Hunter Rechsteiner, Benton: 5^th impromptu speaking, 5^th prose interpretation

Javen Wendler, Harrisburg:  6^th OPEN Speech to Entertain