Forensic Falcons Named Tournament Champions at College of DuPage

Southeastern Illinois College’s Forensic Falcons were named tournament champions at this weekend’s Frankly Speaking Invitational Tournament at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Every member of the team advanced an event to open elimination rounds in what is known as a “team break.” In addition to the top team prize, the Falcons also brought home 10 individual championships.

Director of Forensics Jenny Billman explains, “This team is growth-minded. They push themselves to improve their presentations every round, every day. Competitive success is a byproduct of this mindset.”

Sophomore Billy Lewis continues, “It’s always a joy to travel with this team. The tournament went great, and I was very proud of how everyone did.”

The team will compete next at the Harper College tournament in February. 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.

Individual results from the tournament are as follows.

Bradley Frailey (Harrisburg): 1^st duo interpretation (with partner Tucker Murphy), 1^st program oral interpretation champion, 1^st poetry

Billy Lewis (Carrier Mills): 1^st prose, 2^nd dramatic interpretation, 2^nd duo interpretation (with partner Kale Rister), 2^nd poetry interpretation, 2^nd overall sweepstakes

Kenzee Dycus (Mount Vernon): 1^st informative speaking, 2^nd persuasive speaking, 2^nd speech to entertain, 4^th communication analysis, 3^rd overall sweepstakes

Kale Rister (Carrier Mills): 1^st dramatic interpretation, 2^nd duo interpretation (with partner Billy Lewis), 3^rd speech to entertain, 4^th overall sweepstakes

Tucker Murphy (Golconda): 1^st duo interpretation (with partner Bradley Frailey), 2^nd communication analysis, 3^rd program oral interpretation, 4^th speech to entertain, 5^th individual sweepstakes

Nick Triplett (Galatia): 1^st debate individual speaker, finalist two-year IPDA debate, 2^nd two-year impromptu speaking, 4^th informative speaking,

Collin Sexton (Norris City): 1st extemporaneous speaking, 4^th impromptu speaking

Jasmine Teston (Harrisburg): 1^st two-year communication analysis, 2^nd prose interpretation, 5^th dramatic interpretation

Tiffany Turner (Galatia): 1^st two-year prose interpretation, 5^th program oral interpretation

Jacob Rice (Marion): 2^nd impromptu speaking, semifinalist open IPDA debate, 3^rd individual speaker in debate, 3^rd extemporaneous speaking

Shainna Ralston (Eldorado): 2^nd two-year prose interpretation, 5^th persuasion, 6^th dramatic interpretation

William Pugsley (Carmi): 2^nd extemporaneous speaking, 5^th impromptu speaking

Addie Mays (Mount Vernon): 3^rd communication analysis, 6^th persuasive speaking

Alex Peebels (Carrier Mills): 3^rd informative speaking, 3^rd 2-year speech to entertain

Christian Murray (Harrisburg): 3^rd prose