News from Danny Ray, Director of Forensics:
The weekend of March 22-23, the Thundering Word competed at the Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament. This is the largest comprehensive tournament in the nation and the largest ever hosted by Pi Kappa Delta. With 80 schools in attendance and 2,000 entries, it was the most competitive tournament as well. The Thundering Word is proud to report that we placed 4th in Individual Events Team Sweepstakes behind William Carey University, Wiley College and Ball State University, and 10th in team debate sweepstakes. As incredible as that is Marshall University placed 4th in the nation in combined speech and debate team sweepstakes. Rounding out the top 5 were 1. Wiley College, 2. William Carey University, 3. Southwest Baptist University, 4th Marshall University, 5th Boise State University. Overall Marshall had 23 quarterfinalists, 13 semifinalists and 7 finalists in Individual Events. We had 1 quarterfinalist in open Lincoln Douglas Debate, a semifinalist and finalist in JV Lincoln Douglas Debate and a quarter finalist in IPDA debate. It is proudly that I announce Victoria Ledford as 10th best speaker in Pentathlon out of over 600 competitors & the NATIONAL CHAMPION best speaker in IPDA debate and Joe Garton as the NATIONAL CHAMPION in Junior Lincoln Douglas Debate. Please join us in congratulating all of our team members, as each received individual awards that contributed to the team’s success
This is the best Marshall has performed nationally and we’re looking forward to our future! Marshall travels to Eastern Michigan University for the National Forensic Association’s National Tournament in April.