By Kenna McMurray
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley Forensics team competed at Dixie High School in St. George, Utah over the October 8-9 weekend. It was a long weekend for the debaters, but it payed off in the end.
On Friday, team members competed in individual speech events (IE). These events focus on speaking and performance skills and the Moapa team was at the top of its game.
Calvin McMurray, Team Captain, brought home the first place title in Varsity Impromptu Speaking, and took fourth place in Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking.
Moapa reigned in Varsity Expository Speaking (Expos) for the second tournament in a row with veteran speaker John Rockenbach taking first place in the event, sophomore Kenna McMurray taking second, and junior Jacob Allum taking fourth place. Kenna McMurray also placed second in Varsity Oratory. JanaLee Weatherford won fourth place in Humorous Interpretation being narrowly beat out by teammate Alyssa Zerkle who took second in that event. Zerkle also took fifth in Dramatic Interpretation.
The novice speakers also held their own. Dakota Polk won first place in Novice Dramatic Interpretation and Klystia Williams adding team points by taking the second place trophy in that event.
After a near sleepless night, the forensics team returned to Dixie High School before dawn on Saturday to compete on the debate day of the tournament.
On this day, Kenna McMurray took first place in Varsity Lincoln Douglas (LD) debate and the team of John Rockenbach and Ricky Glaubitz were also impressive, taking fifth place in Varsity Public Forum debate.
“The team did great and we are especially proud of the novices who really stepped in and did a great job adding points to the team,” said Team Captain Calvin McMurray. “We have now taken back-to-back titles in Expos and Varsity LD and we plan on getting better every tournament.”
The team has taken five consecutive state titles and is in their quest for a 6th.
The next tournament will be held October 22-23 at Foothill High School.
Judges at these competitions are always needed and all are welcome with no special trainign required. Those interested in volunteering to judge, please contact coach Jared Bushman at 397-2611, ext. 3321.
