Forensic Falcons are state champs

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - Southeastern Illinois College's Forensic Falcons were named overall state champions in the community college division at the Illinois Intercollegiate Forensic Association March 6, earning both first place in the team individual events category and second in the team debate category.

SIC advanced 34 of their 36 events to either the University (Open) or Community College (Two Year) final rounds at the Illinois Intercollegiate Forensic Association State Tournament, with every team member advancing at least one event.

Local students Bradley Frailey, Nick Triplett, Addie Hanks, Collin Sexton, Addie Mays, and Tiffany Turner earned state championships at the event, which was online with COVID-safe precautions. Bradley Frailey, Nick Triplett, Addie Hanks, Shainna Ralston, and Javen Wendler also received open finals awards, which means they placed among the top six overall competitors from any college or university in the state.

"Our team has invested countless hours in their events and in their teammates' events," said Director of Forensics Jenny Billman. "To adapt and preserve as they have speaks volumes."

Individual results from the tournament are as follows. Awards are in the two-year division unless otherwise noted. The team is coached by Jenny Billman, John Corum, and Paul Cummins.

Bradlee Frailey, Harrisburg: State champion in individual events sweepstakes, State champion in poetry, state champion in duo interpretation (with partner Addie Hanks), 2nd OPEN Program Oral Interpretation, 4th Speech to Entertain;

Nick Triplett, Galatia: Tournament champion in communication analysis, 1st place International Public Debate Association (IPDA) speaker award, 2nd extemporaneous speaking, 2nd Two Year Parliamentary Debate, 2nd in individual events sweepstakes, 4th OPEN Impromptu, 4th parliamentary debate speaker, quarterfinalist OPEN IPDA;

Addie Hanks, Harrisburg: State champion in duo interpretation, Top Novice Poetry, 2nd in OPEN poetry interpretation, 2nd Two Year Dramatic Interpretation, 3rd individual event sweepstakes, 6th speech to entertain;

Collin Sexton, Norris City: State champion in impromptu speaking, state champion in extemporaneous speaking, 2nd parliamentary debate, 3rd informative speaking, Semifinalist IPDA, 3rd parliamentary debate speaker, 4th IPDA speaker, 5th individual event sweeps;

Tiffany Turner, Raleigh: State champion in dramatic interpretation, state champion in persuasion, 3rd prose interpretation, 4th poetry interpretation;

Addie Mays, Mt. Vernon: State champion in prose interpretation, 3rd communication analysis, 3rd persuasion;

Shainna Ralston, Eldorado: 2nd communication analysis, 2nd persuasion, 5th OPEN Dramatic Interpretation;

Haley Rice, Stonefort: Top Novice prose interpretation, Top novice communication analysis, 2nd information speaking, 4th prose interpretation, 5th communication analysis, 5th persuasive speaking;

Kale Rister, Carrier Mills: 3rd impromptu speaking, 5th dramatic interpretation;

Hunter Rechsteiner, Benton: 5th impromptu speaking, 5th prose interpretation;

Javen Wendler, Harrisburg: 6th OPEN Speech to Entertain.