Speech team qualifies for nationals

Two SCSU students will represent the school's forensics (speech and debate) team at this year's American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament.

The tournament will be conducted on the campus of the University of Texas-Austin from April 5-7, and will showcase competitors from more than 120 colleges and universities.

Fifth-year senior Daniel Olson of Chanhassen qualified in five events: impromptu, informative, extemporaneous, persuasion and communication analysis.

In order to qualify for nationals, a student must place in the top three of an event at three tournaments during the school year.

For a student to do this in five different events is "pretty much unheard of," said Husky forensics director and professor of communication studies Scott Wells. "It's pretty amazing."

Junior Cally Proctor of Dover, Minn. qualified in the program of oral interpretation.

"It's a great honor to have more than one student qualify in more than one event," Wells said.

Olson has qualified for nationals twice before, but never for this many events.

Olson said impromptu speaking is "hands-down" his favorite event, because it allows him the freedom to talk about almost anything he wants.

An avid baseball fan, Olson often tries to incorporate his favorite sport into his performances.

Proctor said she joined her high school forensics team because she enjoyed acting and writing and wanted to "expand (her) research skills, writing skills and social skills."

She also said forensics improved her confidence, self-esteem and public speaking ability.

Proctor said her favorite event is poetry interpretation.

Olson, who did not participate in forensics in high school, said he has "never

been afraid of talking to people," and that he enjoys public speaking. Wells strongly encouraged Olson to join the forensics team four years ago, something for which Olson says he is "incredibly grateful."

Olson and Proctor say they are a bit nervous for nationals, but both students expressed confidence in their abilities, each of them saying "it's good to be a little nervous."

"I'm confident in my speeches, confident in what I can do," said Olson.

Olson and Proctor say it's almost impossible to predict whether they have a good chance of winning any of their events at the national competition. "It's a huge, huge event with extremely good competition," said Proctor. "[But] it will be a good experience either way." Olson echoed these statements. "It's a crapshoot," he said.

Although Proctor and Olson are used to preparing extensively for competitions across the country, they are working extra hard, along with their coaches, to get ready for this one. Wells and his assistant coaches Paul and Denee Janda and Alaric Myers are spending extra time with the two qualifiers, re-cutting their acting events and having Proctor and Olson perform their pieces for different audiences around the community.

SCSU's forensics team has about 20 active members who are enrolled in a variety of different majors. Olson is a communication studies major, while Proctor is pursuing a degree in art education.

Wells will be accompanying them in April when they face off against the toughest competition the nation has to offer.