Bethel College Forensics competes in first in-person meet of the season

The team sent three first-year competitors to the Omaha, Neb. Halloween Swing meet.

Over the Halloween weekend, the Bethel College Forensics team traveled to Omaha, Neb. to take part in the Halloween Swing forensics meet. 

Traveling together were a trio of first-year competitors: Isaiah Smith, a freshman from Great Bend, Rebecca Schlosser, a freshman from Moundridge, and Elizabeth Schmucker, a sophomore from Goessel. Bringing a total of three events, the novices competed in the first in-person meet of the forensics season against competitors from all over the Midwest, including several high-ranking forensics teams.

In the end, Becca walked away with a sixth-place finish in extemporaneous speaking. Lizzie and Isaiah finished with second place in duo interpretation, as well as receiving the title of top novice duo. 

“They did an amazing job and really held their own against some really tough competition.” said head coach Dr. Cristy Dougherty. “I’m super proud of them.” 

Bethel College Forensics upholds a record of being one of the only six schools in the nation to compete at the American Forensics Association’s Nationals Meet since its creation in the mid-1970s, and with the success of this young novice team, it seems that streak will live on. 

Bethel College Forensics’ next major meet is the Districts 3 meet, which will feature strong competition from schools such as Kansas State and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Despite the massive size of the colleges they are competing against, Bethel College Forensics has a reputation for being an underdog and swooping in to claim a title or two.

“I honestly think we can win team sweeps at districts,” Dougherty told her team. “We just have to polish and keep practicing, and we’ll own Districts.” 

The Districts 3 meet will take place on Nov. 12.