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December is a time when the most recognized collegiate forensic programs host their invitational tournaments. George Mason and Bradley University hosted theirs the first weekend of December and last weekend was Western Kentucky University’s turn. WKU placed second at both collegiate national tournaments last season and it had thirty-one extempers in its annual Hilltopper Classic on December 14th. Brian Anderson of LaRue County High School (KY), who finisher runner-up at the George Mason University Patriot Games Classic two weeks ago and is a 2014 MBA invitee, was the tournament champion. Emma Jackson and Andrew McKinney of Danville High School (KY) took second and third, respectively. Lane Hedrick of Rowan County Senior High School (KY), who won Bradley’s George Armstrong Heart of Illinois Invitational two weeks ago, was also in the final round and placed fifth. The tournament gave out a top novice award and Musa Subramaniam of Franklin High School (TN), who was the only non-Kentucky extemper in finals, was the recepient.
The tournament was a 2014 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifying tournament and three extempers earned their first qualfying leg. McKinney earned his second qualifying leg in as many weeks and becomes the third Kentucky extemper to qualify for the TOC. Extempers that earned a TOC qualfying leg are indicated in italics below.
Here are the full results from the 2013 Western Kentucky University Hilltopper Classic:
Champion: Brian Anderson (LaRue County High School, Kentucky)
2nd: Emma Jackson (Danville High School, Kentucky)
3rd: Andrew McKinney (Danville High School, Kentucky)
4th: Grant Markwell (Rowan County Senior High School, Kentucky)
5th: Lane Hedrick (Rowan County Senior High School, Kentucky)
6th: Musa Subramaniam (Franklin High School, Tennessee)
Top Novice: Musa Subramaniam (Franklin High School, Tennessee)