Speech & Debate Wins at NCCFI

Belmont University’s Speech and Debate Team placed 1st in the individual events at the NCCFI (National Christian College Forensics Invitational) national tournament. The tournament was held at Kansas Wesleyan University on March 14-16. The team did not only place first, but individuals also left the tournament winning 10 different national titles. We are so proud of this team and the individuals who worked so hard to place! Keep reading to see the awards that were received!

  • Jace Wilder
    • National Champion, Novice DI
    • 6th Place, Persuasive Speaking
    • 4th Place, Poetry Interpretation
    • National Champion, Reader’s Theatre (w/ Jordan/Baynum/Lamkin)
    • 2nd Place, Overall IE Individual Sweepstakes
  • Alex Jordan
    • 3rd Place, Novice DI
    • 6th Place, After Dinner Speaking
    • 4th Place, Programmed Oral Interpretation
    • 3rd Place, Novice Prose Interpretation
    • 2nd Place, Duo Interpretation (w/ Sophie Lamkin)
    • National Champion, Reader’s Theatre (w/ Wilder/Baynum/Lamkin)
    • National Champion, Overall IE Individual Sweepstakes
  • Sophie Lamkin
    • National Champion, Novice After Dinner Speaking (2nd Overall)
    • 2nd Place, Duo Interpretation (w/ Alex Jordan)
    • National Champion, Reader’s Theatre (w/ Wilder/Jordan/Baynum)
    • 3rd Place, Overall IE Individual Sweepstakes
  • Alexander Baynum
    • 3rd Place, Impromptu Speaking
    • 3rd Place, Extemporaneous Speaking
    • National Champion, Informative Speaking
    • National Champion, Communication Analysis
    • National Champion, Reader’s Theatre (w/ Wilder/Jordan/Lamkin)
    • National Champion, Overall Individual Tournament Sweepstakes
  • Nazif Manaj
    • National Champion, Novice Communication Analysis
    • Novice IPDA Debate Quarter-Finalist
    • Novice IPDA Debate 2nd Place Individual Speaker
  • Marissa Avnaim
    • 4th Place, Overall IE Individual Sweepstakes
    • 6th Place, Novice Extemporaneous Speaking
    • 5th Place, Duo Interpretation (w/ Deanna Medina)
    • National Champion, Novice Persuasive Speaking (3rd Overall)
    • Novice IPDA Debate Quarter-Finalist
    • Novice IPDA Debate 5th Place Individual Speaker
  • Deanna Medina
    • 5th Place, Duo Interpretation (w/ Marissa Avnaim)
  • Team Awards
    • National Champions, Individual Events
    • 2nd Place, Overall IE/Debate Combined

It takes such hard work and preparation to end up at a tournament let alone come out with a title. Again, we are so proud of our students and congratulate you on all you have accomplished!