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In only the third forensics competition of his college career, Lafayette first-year student Jeremy Bennett of Riverside, Pa., took second place in Lincoln-Douglas debate at the Indiana University Speech and Debate Tournament in Bloomington Jan. 26-27.
Bennett advanced to the final round of the national competition before falling to Kristen McCauliff of Central Michigan University, a national quarterfinalist last year. Along the way, he defeated a participant from Central Michigan University in the quarterfinals and the top debater from St. Anselm College in the semifinals.
“Last year, a St. Anselm debater won nationals, so beating a member of that team is a definite step forward for the Lafayette program,” says debate coach Jonathan Honiball. “Jeremy also beat some top-level competitors in the preliminary rounds.”
“The tournament was small, with only five teams, but all the teams were in the top 10 nationally last year,” Honiball adds.
Five other members of the Lafayette Forensics Society competed in debate at the tournament, first-year students Erik Heins (Center Moriches, N.Y.) and Paul Kritzler (Monkton, Md.), and sophomores Rory Hart (Edison, N.J.), Alex Sarris (Northford, Conn.), and Jen Rusak (Ashley, Pa.). In addition, Rusak competed in persuasive speech.
The team was accompanied by Honiball and Scott Placke, individual events coach. Bruce Allen Murphy, Fred Morgan Kirby Professor of Civil Rights, is director of forensics.
Previous 2001-02 Reports:
Lafayette Forensics Team Earns First Tournament Victory at St. Anselm College Jack Lynch Tournament
Jennifer Rusak ’04 and Michael Lestingi ’04 Pace Forensics Team at Shepherd College Tournament