The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater speech team headed to Illinois on Saturday, February 4, 2017 for the MCC Crystal Clear Reception Tournament. First and second year members of the team got the chance to compete in 10 different individual categories including prose, persuasion, dramatic interpretation, critical analysis, extempt, poetry, info, after dinner speaking, and poi.

The novice performers kicked off their day at 8 a.m. by shaking off some nerves in warm-ups. Then put on their game face as they went into the first flight of competition, with the second flight following shortly after.

As the speech competitors performed throughout the day snacks and water were provided to them to keep their energy up. After, all for the lady forensicators it’s never an easy task to walk all over a campus for several hours in heels.

With the day settling down, tensions ran high while the team waited for the final results postings. Freshmen, Jenny Tooney stated “It would be great to final in persuasion or prose because that means the opportunity to earn qualifications for nationals.”

Many members of the team shared the same mutual feelings as Tooney. With the National Forensics Association competition coming in only a couple short months, this was one of the last chances to qualify for some.

When final results were posted, congratulations were in order for eight members of the team made it into the final rounds, and some in multiple individual events.

However, no one leveled up to the excitement of freshmen, Isabella Sengluab. It was Sengluabs first time ever making a final in her collegiate forensics career. “I can’t believe it finally happened,” said Sengluab through unshed tears.

Assistant coach, Sonny Deguzman gave words of encouragement before sending them all off into their finals. The team headed to the MCC auditorium as final rounds ended and awaited awards.

Each category got called up one-by-one as the audience applauded and music played in between. The speech team racked in 14 individual awards, and took fourth place overall in team awards.

It was a proud day for the speaking Warhawks and they walked out the building with their heads held high. Sophmore, Anna Messermichdt explained, “It’s not often that we travel without the whole team, so to be able to accomplish this goal and let our veteran team members know we go this is a really good feeling.”

The speech team is set to continue their season next weekend with Lovefest at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire on Saturday, February 11, 2016.