PRESS RELEASE
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
Contact: Anthony McMullen, (501) 450-3108, amcmullen@uca.edu
December 4, 2014
UCA FORENSICS TEAM COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL SEMESTER
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office
CONWAY – The University of Central Arkansas’s forensics team recently completed a successful semester of International Public Debate Association competition.
The team, coached by Anthony McMullen and Katherine Bray, had high finishes in several events this fall.
“I’m very happy with our performance thus far,” said McMullen, director of forensics. “Despite the inexperience on the team, we have managed to stay very competitive. Last year, we were one of the top teams in the varsity division. This year, our novices are in the running for top honors in IPDA.
“I’m also pleased with our performance in individual events this year. Assistant Director Katherine Bray has been working hard to make sure that our squad is as competitive as those whose sole focus is on forensics events. While we are still working toward a significant presence in those events, we are slowly improving our standing.”
Debating in the professional division this fall were alumni Stephanie Gray and Rickie Mangrum; in varsity were junior Danielle Casey, sophomore Braxton Johnson and freshmen Brynn Woods and Michael Ingram, and in novice, junior Brady Shiers, sophomore Bradley Allgood and freshmen Leia Smith, Joseph Barnello, Brennan Boone and Mark Matlock.
At the University of Arkansas at Monticello Oct. 3-5, the team placed first in Team IPDA and fourth overall (team IPDA and individual IPDA). The team of Smith and Woods reached the quarterfinals, while Casey and Johnson reached the semifinals. Johnson was also the top speaker in team IPDA. Smith was the third best speaker in team IPDA. Mangrum was the runner-up in the professional division.
At Tulsa Community College Nov. 14-16, the team placed first in debate and second overall (debate and forensics). Barnello won the novice division for the second time. Smith and Matlock were the top two speakers in the novice division. Johnson and Ingram were co-champions in the varsity division. Johnson took second place in poetry interpretation and fourth place in persuasive speaking. Smith was second place in extemporaneous speaking.
At. John Brown University Oct. 24-26, the team placed second in IPDA debate. Both teams (Casey/Johnson and Smith/Woods) reached the quarterfinals, with Casey and Johnson taking home speaker awards (fourth and first, respectively). Gray was ranked top speaker and was the runner-up in the professional division. Mangrum was ranked third speaker and was the semifinalist in the professional division. Barnello (in his first college tournament) was the fourth speaker in the champion in the novice division. Smith won another award for top speaker.
The team opened the semester at Lee College Sept. 20-21, where it placed second overall in IPDA. Gray reached the semifinals and was the first place speaker in the professional division; Johnson was the varsity division runner-up; Smith (in her first college tournament) was a quarterfinalist and the first place speaker in the novice division.
UCA’s team will defend its state championship at the Southern Forensics Championship at John Brown University Jan. 30-Feb. 1. On Feb. 6-7, it will play host to a high school speech and debate tournament. On March 14-16, it will be host the Team IPDA National Championship.
For more information, contact McMullen at (501) 450-3108 or amcmullen@uca.edu.
The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Communication, Mass Communication and Theatre, Music and Writing. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit www.uca.edu/cfac or call (501) 450-3293.
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