Johnson leads way as Ripon wins forensics meet

Hard work, patience, and passion: a combination of words that may most accurately describe what all those involved in the Ripon College Forensics Team have been exerting into their performances and coaching since their season started this past September. It's this type of dedication and commitment that creates a victorious individual and team; thus far this season is clearly reflecting such efforts. 

Already the team has won several top-3 team awards, have earned roughly 70 individual awards, placed in the top 5 in most tournaments, and already have 8 events qualified for nationals. Adding to this laundry list of success, the team most recently competed in the Michael Nicolai Invitational at UW-Stout this last weekend where they took home a first place win out of 13 schools.

"This was a total team effort. All 11 students who attended the tournament earned team points, and it would not have been possible to place first without everyone committed to the team's success. I am so very proud of this team for their incredible hard work and dedication," said Director of Forensics Deano Pape.

Standout performances seemed to be a theme among all. Senior Jeremy Johnson once more shined as he was named the overall top speaker and won 3 individual events including Extemporaneous Speaking, Persuasion, and Communication Analysis. Johnson is now qualified to compete in five events in April at the American Forensic Association National Tournament that Texas State University-San Marcos will be hosting. 

Performing just as well at their last tournament was senior Breena Brockmann who placed second in Communication Analysis, Duo Interpretation with partner sophomore Angelica Schwartz, and Informative Speaking; placing sixth for overall best speaker. Junior Bill Heinze also won in the After Dinner Speaking event and was a finalist in Impromptu Speaking while junior Jessie Lillis placed third in Duo Interpretation with sophomore Sophia Kaounas and was a finalist in Program of Oral Interpretation. Rounding out a day of success was sophomore Samantha Goodwin who was a finalist in Music Interpretation.

"This year we have had several stand-out performances. Jeremy won four events at the Gustavus Adolphus Invitational and placed as second best student at the tournament.  Sophia won top speaker at the Bethany Lutheran tournament and was in five different final rounds," said Pape in regards to the season at large.

Reflecting upon his achievements as well as the team as a whole, Johnson states how proud and honored he is to have performed so well this season and is hopeful to continue the success at the national level. Johnson feels equally as thrilled with the overall performances and attitudes of the entire team this season.

"We've never been so together, so committed, and so successful.  It's incredible to recall where we were as a team just three years ago when I was starting.  The future for this team is incredibly bright," said Johnson.

Kaounas feels equally as excited and impressed by her own performances as well as everyone else on the team and added that the relationships formed between the individuals on her team and others is equally rewarding.

With a final thought, Kaounus thought it also important to make note of the effort and dedication coaching members have put forth for the team; a time consuming commitment when practices are held most days from 4-6 during a season that spans from September to April with tournaments often taking place on every weekend for weeks straight.

"I think it is crucial to address and thank all of the hard work, time, and effort that our coaches put into the team. We would not be where we are today without them," said Kaounas