The Gustavus Adolphus College Forensics Team participated in the 30th American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET) April 6-9, earning a top 20 national ranking for the first time in school history.
The team, coached by visiting instructor of Communication Studies Kristofer Kracht, was one of 20 schools to receive a team sweepstakes trophy for its performance at the national tournament.
“Fourteen of the top 20 schools are Division I institutions with significantly higher student enrollments and resources than Gustavus,” Kracht said. “So we feel incredibly proud of our performance and that is a tribute to the hard work of our students.”
Senior Andrea Carlile became the second Gustavus student in school history to be named to the AFA-NIET All-American Team. Carlile qualified for the quarterfinal round in Communication Analysis. She also competed in Persuasive Speaking, Informative Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, and Extemporaneous Speaking.
Sophomore Tasha Carlson also qualified for the quarterfinal round in Persuasive Speaking. Carlson also competed in Prose Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, and Program Oral Interpretation.
Other students who competed at the tournament included senior Bridget Traut, junior Brittany Lovdahl, sophomores Maria Siegle, Kavan Rogness, and Brittani Seagren, and freshmen Emma Moreau, Mary Cunningham, and Paula Wiggam.
While the AFA-NIET is considered by many to be the most competitive collegiate forensics tournament in the country, the Gustavus team also enjoyed success at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament March 8-10. At that tournament the team finished second out of 57 schools in individual events and placed seventh in the combined team sweepstakes.
For more information regarding the Gustavus Forensics Team visit http://www.gustavus.edu/academics/speech-comm/forensics/ or contact Kracht at kkracht@gustavus.edu.
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