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Prior to the 2013-2014 season, the Virginia High School League (VHSL) adopted a six division realignment and this led to six state champions being crowned at this year’s VHSL state tournament instead of three, which was the norm for the last few years. Two extempers repeated as state champions at the tournament with Josh Wartel of Lake Braddock Secondary School, the winner of 3A extemp last season, winning the 6A category and Sierra Weaver of Madison County High School, the winner of A extemp last year, winning the 2A category. Other category winners included Sean Wells of Warwick High School in 5A, Akash Raje of Midlothian High School in 4A, Tanya Hoatson of Lafayette High School in 3A, and Stephen Woolwine of Bland/Rocky Gap High School in A.
Fifteen extempers earned an automatic qualification to the Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University by virtue of making the final round in their respective class. They are indicated in italics below.
Here are the results of the 2014 Virginia High School League State Tournament:
Group 6A
Champion: Joshua Wartel (Lake Braddock Secondary School)
2nd: Jonah Scharf (Lake Braddock Secondary School)
3rd: James Childress (James River High School – Midlothian)
Group 5A
Champion: Sean Wells (Warwick High School)
2nd: Rebecca Bock (Floyd Kellam High School)
3rd: Kevin Zong (Albermarle High School)
Group 4A
Champion: Akash Raje (Midlothian High School)
2nd: Jonathan Corbin (Fluvanna County High School)
3rd: Sam Iden (John Handley High School)
Group 3A
Champion: Tanya Hoatson (Lafayette High School)
2nd: Caleb Gum (Turner Ashby High School)
3rd: Rahul Ravindra (John Champe High School)
Group 2A
Champion: Sierra Weaver (Madison County High School)
2nd: Luke Basham (Central High School – Wise)
3rd: Bray Pitts (King William High School)
Group A
Champion: Stephen Woolwine (Bland/Rocky Gap High School)
2nd: Eric Church (Northampton High School)
3rd: James I. Davis (Altavista High School)
Extemp Central thanks the Virginia High School Speech League for providing a listing of the winners in each category on their website.