The Illinois State Forensics Union is celebrating winning titles from tournaments across the circuit, as they compete this year in their first non-COVID season (i.e., barring any spike in cases and the need for restrictions this fall and winter) since fall 2019. The team has earned 15 individual championships, one team championship, and qualified for 29 events for the national tournaments.
“The results so far are impressive, but I’m far more impressed by the team’s tenacity and insistence on quality. Every word in every round was chosen with care. We’re building a perfect storm for nationals,” said Director of Forensics and coach Megan Koch.
Despite these competitive successes the team refuses to be satisfied. Compared to the previous three seasons, Illinois State is experiencing an invigorated sense of productivity.
“We’ve just been on the up and up in terms of writing and performing. The momentum is absolutely unmatched,” said junior Alyssa Conde.
With Bradley University’s 75th Annual LE Norton Memorial Tournament often referred to as “Fall Nationals,” set to take place on November 5 in Peoria, the speech team is drawing together to support one another in their events.
“I’ll come into the lab and find people helping to edit drafts or running pieces for each other. We’re creating the best iterations of our performances that we can, and we’re doing it with the help of everyone on the team,” said senior Raechel Zoellick.
At the same time, the debate team is gearing up for what is routinely one of the largest National Forensics Association Lincoln-Douglas tournaments of the year, the Redbird Debate Tournament, also hosted at Illinois State on November 5.
The Forensics Union isn’t driven only by a desire to do well, but also to share what its team members are passionate about with their community.
“The students have worked hard this year to craft scripts and performances highlighting issues that really matter to them,” said Assistant Director of Individual Events and coach Ryan Tinlin. “Speech and Debate isn’t just about practicing public speaking skills. It’s also about using those skills to try and make a difference in the real world.”
Team members also have been enjoying their first chance to travel to tournaments since the pandemic shut down travel in 2020.
“I loved Portland. It was an experience like no other. It was super fun to compete, but overall it was a giant bonding experience again with people I love,” said junior Faith Hincapie.
One way the team keeps on task is by pairing up each new member with one returning member—a “Little Bird” with a “Big Bird.” Big Birds keep an eye out for their little birds and help them navigate the process of developing speeches.
“My Big Bird has done so much for me that it’s hard to even put it into words. I feel like I can go to her whenever and get incredible support,” said freshman Braden Wall. “I’ve felt super included and celebrated on the team, which has been such an uplifting experience.”
“I work hard to make sure my Little Birds are not just doing well in speech, but also succeeding academically so we can continue to compete and keep our focus on other important aspects of being student competitors,” said senior Sarah Keller.
The team is also keeping an eye on its long-term goals, preparing for nationals in April 2023.
“This team is going to be a powerhouse. Everyone has a fire to them that is palpable in the air, and I know this energy is going to be intense by nationals, that the circuit will be shocked at how much, and the caliber of events that ISU has to offer,” said senior Raechel Zoellick.
The Illinois State Forensics Union enjoys a long history of past success and is working hard for a similar future, supporting one another as the fall 2022 semester moves into its final stages.
“I’m proud of the team for remaining both positive and passionate this semester,” said sophomore debater Brayden Bobowski. “Individuals are consistently supported, inspired, and built up by the other members of the team, which causes them not only to compete better but also increases their ties to the greater ISU community,” continued Bobowski.
The ISU Forensics Union, the oldest and most successful registered student organization on campus, boasts over 93 individual national champions and 10 team national championships. The team competes at tournaments in the Lincoln-Douglas debate, public speaking, and oral interpretation events.
