Forensics team takes second at state tournament, looks toward nationals

The Hastings College forensics team finished second in the NIFA State Tournament. Members include (front, from left) Bri Narick, Natalie Miles, Morgan Ashcraft, Hailey Gifford, Avery User and Margie Osorio Barrios, and (back, from left) Meg Dedic, Abby Klatt, Korey Bond, Lilac Ramsey, Brooke Brockman and Julia Bernard. Not pictured: Matthew Houlihan.

(Hastings, Nebraska) – The Hastings College forensics team hosted the 140th Nebraska Intercollegiate Forensics Association (NIFA) State Tournament February 8 and the Broncos took second place overall for the fourth year in a row with four members placing in eight events.

The competition featured 83 competitors from eight schools, including Hastings College, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Nebraska Omaha, Doane University, Midland University, Wayne State College, Kansas State University and Bethel College NIFA.

“This tournament is a celebration of the region’s fierce competition and commitment to community. We loved hosting and we’re incredibly proud of our students, many of whom were competing at their first state tournament,” said Hastings College forensics coach Jordan Johnson.

Hastings College Results

Bri Narick, a sophomore from Bellevue, Nebraska, entered four events, Communication Analysis, Program of Oral Interpretation, Prose Interpretation and Poetry Interpretation, and placed second in all four. 

Hailey Gifford, a sophomore from Eagle, Colorado, placed fifth in Impromptu and sixth in After Dinner Speaking.

Lilac Ramsey, a sophomore from Wilson, North Carolina, placed seventh in Impromptu Speaking.

First year student Korey Bond of Cimarron, Kansas, tied for top novice in Informative Speaking.

In addition to the state tournament, the team has had a busy season, which opened in the fall. Members have competed in many tournaments, with 11 students qualifying 26 events for the American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament.

The national tournament takes place April 4-7 at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

“We’re really a young team. Our team is composed entirely of first and second-year competitors. But you wouldn’t know that from the results they’ve achieved,” Johnson said. “We’re excited to finish the regular season and set our sights on nationals.”

Members of the Hastings College forensics team include:

Morgan Ashcraft, a sophomore from Limon, Colorado;
Julia Bernard, a first year student from from Omaha, Nebraska;
Korey Bond, a first year student from Cimarron, Kansas;
Brooke Brockman, a junior from Elwood, Nebraska;
Meg Dedic, a sophomore from Auburn, Nebraska;
Hailey Gifford, a sophomore from of Eagle, Colorado;
June Houlihan, a senior from Omaha, Nebraska;
Abby Klatt, a first year student from Hastings, Nebraska; 
Natalie Miles, a first year student from Onida, South Dakota;
Bri Narick, a sophomore from Bellevue, Nebraska;
Margie Osorio Barrios, a first year student from Aurora, Colorado; 
Lilac Ramsey, a sophomore from Wilson, North Carolina, and 
Avery Usher, a first year student from Lincoln, Nebraska.