Forensic season starts well for Talking T-Birds

Members of the 2021-2022 Casper College Talking T-Birds Forensics team recently posed for a photo following their individual and team victories at the Trapper Rendezvous held at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. Back row, l-r: Pearl Taylor and Alex Walters, both from Rapid City, South Dakota; Emma Kellick, Casper; Audrey Caldwell, Gillette; Shelby Davis, Newcastle; Curtis Winfrey, Casper; Jayden Roccaforte, Cheyenne; and Markie Whitney, Newcastle. Front row, l-r: Hart Dority, Glenrock; Violet Wright, Casper; Braxton Sambrano, Casper; Emma Rudell and Ally Morris, both from Cheyenne; Tatym Jespersen, Valentine, Nebraska; and Stephanie Barella, Casper. (Casper College photo)

The Casper College Forensics team recently took home awards from the Trapper Rendezvous held at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, with both individual and team awards.

According to Doug Hall, director of forensics, Casper had the top two duo interpretations at the tournament and the top three prose interpretations. In addition, four of the top six impromptu speakers and five of the top eight IPDA debaters were from Casper College. Besides their placement in IPDA, the Talking T-Birds took six of the top 10 “speakers” in IPDA at the tournament, including the top two.

“We brought in a powerhouse recruiting class last year to add to our already talented returning students, so we have that perfect blend of lots of talent and lots of experience. It’s going to be a great year!” exclaimed Hall.

As a team, the Talking T-Birds were the tournament champions.

Individually, Braxton Sambrano, Casper, took second in prose interpretation and fifth in impromptu speaking.

Alex Walters, Rapid City, South Dakota, placed second in IPDA debate and fourth in impromptu speaking.

Stephanie Barella, Casper, was the impromptu speaking champion and went to the semifinals in IPDA and extemporaneous speaking.

Markie Whitney and Shelby Davis, both from Newcastle, took second place in duo interpretation and went to the quarter-finals in IPDA. Davis also went to the semifinals for impromptu speaking.

Emma Kellick, Casper, qualified for the semifinals in IPDA and placed third in prose interpretation and sixth in impromptu speaking.

Jayden Roccaforte, Cheyenne, was the prose interpretation champion and took second in program oral interpretation. Roccaforte, along with Emma Rudell, Cheyenne, took the championship in duo interpretation.

Pearl Taylor, Box Elder, South Dakota, took the championship in poetry interpretation and reached the semifinals in extemporaneous interpretation.

Curtis Winfrey, Casper, took sixth in extemporaneous speaking and Alexandria Morris, Cheyenne, took third in dramatic interpretation.

“Our coaching staff typically sets high expectations and dares our competitors to meet them. There is no better feeling than when we see these students put in the work to be the best versions of themselves and achieve to their fullest potential,” said Ethan Fife, assistant director of forensics.