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The Kentucky Educational Speech and Drama Association (KESDA) State Tournament is the first of two state tournaments in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is hosted annually at the Clarion Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky. This year’s event saw Brian Anderson of LaRue County High School succesfully defend his KESDA state championship. This is the third consecutive state title for Anderson, who won the KESDA and Kentucky High School Speech League (KHSSL) state titles last season. It is the first time that an extemper has successfully defend their KESDA championship since 2008, when Hunter Kendrick of Danville High School accomplished the feat.  Anderson defeated Matt Thomas of Rowan County Senior High School in the tournament’s final round.  Rowan County had three finalists at this year’s tournament, and four elimination round participants, which was more than any other school.

Four extempers earned an automatic qualification to this year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. Grant Markwell of Rowan County Senior High School moved off the TOC bubble and into this year’s field by placing fourth at the tournament. He had earned one qualifying leg at the Western Kentucky Hilltopper Classic in December. Those extempers that earned an automatic qualification at KESDA are indicated in italics in the results listing.

Here are the results of the 2014 Kentucky Educational Speech and Drama Association State Tournament:

Champion: Brian Anderson (LaRue County High School)
2nd: Matt Thomas (Rowan County Senior High School)
3rd: Sue Cook (Danville High School)
4th: Grant Markwell (Rowan County Senior High School)
5th: Lane Hedrick (Rowan County Senior High School)
6th: Connor Hutcherson (Ryle High School)

Semi-Finalists

*Joey Gearon (LaRue County High School)
*Olivia Gearner (Rowan County Senior High School)
*Emma Jackson (Danville High School)
*Andrew McKinney (Danville High School)
*Ivanka Rainer (Cooper High School)
*Jared Thomas (Harrison County High School)

Top Novice: Ben McCallister (Danville High School)

Extemp Central thanks Bill Thompson for providing us with the results of the tournament.