Forensics Team Captures Awards at Virginia Tournament

Seven members of the Alderson-Broaddus College speech and debate team finished the fall semester with eighteen individual awards and placed second in team sweepstakes at the Collegiate Forensic Association Holiday Tournament held at Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, Virginia, on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Casey McCroskey, a senior biology/chemistry major from Webster Springs, WV, placed first in communication analysis, second in pentathlon, impromptu, and program oral interpretation, third in after-dinner speaking and fourth in poetry interpretation.

Erica Byrd, a senior communications major from Bridgeport, WV, placed first in after-dinner speaking, second in dramatic duo, third in prose interpretation, and fifth in pentathlon.

Amber Brunton, a sophomore creative writing and communication major from Mineral Ridge, OH, placed second in informative speaking and dramatic duo, and sixth in single dramatic interpretation and pentathlon.

Dani Schleiden, a sophomore communications major from Canton, OH, placed second in communication analysis.

Shaunna Miller, a freshman nursing major from Glendale, AZ, placed third in persuasive speaking.

Tasha Orsburn, a freshman communications major from Buckhannon, WV, placed third in informative speaking and fifth in persuasion.

Martha Williams, a junior natural science major from Franklin, WV, placed fifth in extemporaneous speaking.

There were over 50 students from twelve colleges and universities from seven states competing in the tournament. A-B placed second in overall team sweepstakes being edged out by one point by Shepherd University.

The A-B Forensics team is coached by associate professor of speech communications and director of forensics, Barbara F. Sims. The A-B program is open to all students interested in participating, and scholarships are available for those demonstrating outstanding talent.

Members of the A-B Forensics Team pictured, are bottom to top: Casey McCroskey, Tasha Orsburn, Dani Schleiden, Erica Byrd, Shaunna Miller, Martha Williams and Amber Brunton.

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