Talkin’ T-Birds score gold, silver and bronze medals at final tournament

Pictured l-r: Davin Ro, Dani Schulz, Jack Cochran, Ivey Goff, Nina Bivens, Cass Baedk. (Casper College photo)

The Casper College Talkin’ T-Birds returned from the Phi Rho National Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia, with an impressive showing at the 2025 Phi Rho Pi National Tournament. Overall, the team brought home a silver medal in individual events and a bronze medal in overall sweepstakes.

“Representing Wyoming with excellence and heart, four standout students brought home multiple national awards across multiple individual events categories,” said Doug Hall, coach. Those students were Nina Bivens from Box Elder, South Dakota, who won a silver medal in persuasive speaking and impromptu speaking, as well as a bronze medal in IPDA debate. Bivens will graduate this year with her Associate of Arts in communications-public relations.

Dani Schulz, Cheyenne, Wyoming, won a gold medal in prose interpretation and a silver medal in poetry interpretation. Schulz will graduate with her Associate of Arts in English.

Jack Cochran from Casper received a gold medal in extemporaneous speaking, a silver medal in impromptu speaking, and a silver medal in IPDA debate. Cochran will graduate with an Associate of Science degree in psychology.

Finally, freshman Ivey Goff, Thermopolis, Wyoming, won a silver medal in speech to entertain.

“This has been an incredible cap to a great year,” said Hall. “Each of these students showcased not only exceptional talent, but also the grit, creativity, and sportsmanship that define our program.”

Goff will return to the debate stage for the Talkin’ T-Birds in her sophomore year, along with her fellow sophomore teammates Sophia Casner, Josie House, and Stephanie Mata. Those sophomores will be joined by incoming freshman competitors Elizabeth Lehman and Samantha Lehman of Gillette, Wyoming, and Emma Andrews of Cheyenne.

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