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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University's forensics team took home the first place prize at a tournament in Washington last weekend.

The inaugural Krista Bacon-Vickrey Memorial Forensics Tournament at Clark College in Vancouver, Wash., featured nearly a dozen schools from the Northwest, including Reed College, Northwest University, and Bellevue College.

"This tournament is named in honor of a well-respected judge and coach who passed away in March from cancer," said Mark Porrovecchio, director of the team. "It was nice to end the term with these successes and do so at a tournament that pays tribute to a former colleague."

OSU was given a first-place prize in the four-year college or university category, recognition of the students' overall performances.

Kyle Bidwell of Sumner, Wash., was a gold medalist in open IPDA debate and named second best speaker overall. Daniel Meiwes of Corvallis was a silver medalist in open IPDA debate and best speaker overall. Dalicia Fennell of Sutherlin was recognized as the third best speaker in open IPDA debate. And Kori Thornburg of Kennewick took fifth best overall speaker in novice IPDA debate.

The wins continued in individual events. Meiwes won first place in open program oral interpretation and placed third in open impromptu speaking. Thornburg won first place in novice persuasive speaking and second place in novice impromptu speaking. Kelsey Irish of Williams, Ore., took first place in novice impromptu speaking. Blane Higa of Pearl City, Hawaii, won first place in novice informative speaking. Jamil Barbar of Portland took third place in novice persuasive speaking. Bidwell took third place in open prose interpretation and second place in both open extemporaneous speaking and open impromptu speaking. Bryan Stevenson of Gresham was fourth place in novice impromptu speaking.

The travel squad was rounded out by Michael Walters of Gresham, and Fanghui Ren of Jiaozuo, China.  The team was coached by graduate assistants Morgan Mansker of Sisters and Forest Ledbetter of Sheridan, Ore. 

Celebrating its 118th season, OSU Forensics is one of the oldest clubs on campus. For more information on the team, contact Porrovecchio at [email protected]