Category: National Circuit Results Page 6 of 12

2015 Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin: Wartel Redeems Last Year’s Loss, Wins Third Consecutive National Circuit Event; Lin Takes Exhibition Round

On January 5, 2015

In MBA Coverage, National Circuit Results

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Having lost the closest Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin in history last year, Josh Wartel of Lake Braddock Secondary School (VA) left nothing to chance at this year’s event, achieving a seven rank triumph over Brian Anderson of LaRue County High School (KY) in this year’s tournament. Having led all ten rounds of last year’s competition before succombing in an Exhibition Round tiebreaker to three-time champion Lily Nellans, Wartel led nine of the ten rounds of this year’s competition, taking control of the tournament in the second round and never looking back. The title is Wartel’s first major championship and is his third consecutive victory at a prominent national circuit tournament. Wartel won Villiger for the second time in November and won both extemp competitions at George Mason last month. He will receive 150 National Points Race points for his win.

Anderson’s runner-up finish was the best performance by a Kentucky extemper at the Round Robin. His top five placing was also the first time that a Kentucky extemper had reached the Exhibition Round since 2008.

The top five competitors of the tournament were all from Southern states, creating the first all-Southern Exhibition Round in Round Robin history. In the Exhibition Round, adjudicated by the eleven competitors that did not place in the top five, Phoebe Lin of Plano West Senior High School (TX) took the title, becoming the first Texas extemper to do so since 2009. Lin took third in the general tournament, placing a mere one rank behind Anderson.

Overall, the tournament was very close with the second and fifth-highest placing extempers separated by only eight ranks. Noah Wexler of Nova Senior High School (FL) finished fourth, only two ranks behind Lin and a mere three ranks behind Anderson. Eitan Sapiro-Gheiler from Durham Academy (NC) took fifth, with five ranks separating him from Wexler.

National Points Race leader Justin Graham of Trinity Preparatory School (FL) took next out honors and will receive National Points Race points for his sixth place finish. Graham missed the Exhibition Round by seven ranks.

Here are the results of the 2015 Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin:

2014 Isidore Newman School Invitational: Bock Gives Nova Two TOC Champions; England Takes Second

By geniao44446

On December 18, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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At the Isidore Newman School Invitational, the second ExtemporaneouS Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifying tournament held last week, Nova Senior High School (FL) became the second team to have two different winners at TOC qualifying tournaments this season when Eleanor Bock secured a four rank win over Kelsey England of Northland Christian School (TX). Bradley Wascher of Saint James School (AL) took third place.

The final round of the tournament was largely a showdown between Nova Senior and Saint James, as Nova had three finalists and Saint James had two.

All of the finalists at Isidore Newman received a qualifying leg for the Extemp TOC at Northwestern University. No extemper secured their at-large qualification since Bock was already previously qualified to the TOC and none of the other finalists obtained a qualifying leg prior to the tournament. The extempers receiving a qualifying leg are indicated in italics below.

The extempers in the final round also secured an automatic qualification to the University of Kentucky TOC in April.

Here are the results of the 2014 Isidore Newman School Invitational (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 Dowling Catholic Paradigm: Thompson Defeats Kale; Five Finalize TOC Qualifications

By geniao44446

On December 17, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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After a series of Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifiers took place last week on university campuses, qualifying tournaments returned to high school hosting sites last week and Dowling Catholic High School was one of them. At the school’s Dowling Catholic Paradigm tournament, Jacob Thompson of Des Moines Roosevelt High School (IA) took the title by three ranks over Alekh Kale of James Madison Memorial High School (WI). Kale won two first place ranks in the final round, but an errant seven cost him the championship. Thompson’s teammate Daniel Drane took third.

The tournament was helpful for those extempers seeking a qualification to this year’s Extemp TOC at Northwestern University as five of the seven finalists completed their at-large applications. In addition to Thompson, Kale, and Drane, Ben Anderson of Liberty Senior High School (MO) and Olivia Shoemaker of Lakeville North High School (MN) earned their second at-large qualifying leg. Two other finalists earned their first TOC qualifying leg of the season. All of those earning TOC qualifying legs are indicated in italics in the results listing.

Here are the results of the 2014 Dowling Catholic Paradigm (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 George Mason University Patriot Games: Wartel Outduels Graham to Win His First National Points Race Event of the Season; Also Wins Round Robin

By geniao44446

On December 12, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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The last National Points Race tournament of the first semester took place last weekend at the George Mason University Patriot Games, held on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Josh Wartel of Lake Braddock Secondary School (VA) won his first National Points Race event of the season, defeating arguably the most competitive field at a national circuit tournament this season. In a final round that featured five competitors in the top fifteen of the National Points Race and the winners of four Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifying tournaments, Wartel defeated Justin Graham of Trinity Preparatory School (FL) by judges’ preference after both competitors earned a cumulative total of nine ranks from the five finals judges. Wartel took three of the first place ranks in the final round, whereas Graham took the other two. The final round was largely a duel between Wartel and Graham, as their combined cumulative total was double that of the third place finisher, Brian Anderson of LaRue County High School (KY) who took second at last year’s Patriot Games.

Wartel was also the winner of the tournament’s round robin competition, becoming the second extemper in the last three years to win both the general tournament and the round robin event. In that competition, Wartel defeated Eitan Sapiro-Gheiler of Durham Academy (NC). Graham took third.

The victory at GMU is Wartel’s second national circuit win in as many weeks, as he won Villiger the week prior to competing in Fairfax.

All of the competitors who reached elimination rounds earned points toward this year’s National Points Race. National Points Race leader Jack Glaser of George Washington High School (CO) qualified for elimination rounds, but was knocked out in quarter-finals. Sapiro-Gheiler and Yijia Liang of Upper Arlington High School (OH), who took fourth, made their fourth National Points Race final of the year, which is more than any other competitor.

The Extemp TOC at Northwestern University awards qualification legs to all extempers who made the quarter-final round and beyond at GMU. Ten extempers – Thomas Abel of the Delbarton School (NJ), Varun Bhatia of Trinity Preparatory School (FL), Robby Cummins of Good Counsel High School (MD), Glaser, Clare Halsey and Sejal Waghray of Ridge High School (NJ), Jad Hamdan of Jackson High School (OH), Alexander Hirsch of Stuyvesant High School (NY), Abhishek Kodumugalla of Durham Academy (NC), and Bill Peebles of Cary Academy (NC) – completed their TOC qualification by earning a second leg. Twenty other extempers earned their first qualifying leg at GMU. All of those earning a TOC qualifying leg are indicated in italics in the results listing.

All of the finalists earned an automatic qualification to the University of Kentucky TOC in April, but all of them were previously qualified.

Here are the results from the 2014 George Mason University Patriot Games (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 University of Texas-Austin Longhorn Classic: Venkatraj Wins IX; Larkin Wins USX

By geniao44446

On December 11, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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More than one hundred United States extempers and ninety International extempers competed last weekend at the University of Texas-Austin Longhorn Classic. The tournament allows extempers to participate in both extemp categories and it typically provides a venue for those seeking to bolster their resumes for the Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin.

In the International Extemp portion of the tournament, Karna Venkatraj of A&M Consolidated High School (TX) defeated Davis Larkin of the Parish Episcopal School (TX), who took second at the Glenbrooks, by seven ranks. Venkatraj took two of the available first place ranks in the final round. Hina Uddin of Foster High School (TX) took third place.

In United States Extemp, Larkin beat Rachel Evans of Salado High School (TX) by one rank. Larkin was the only extemper at the tournament to made the final round in each category. Jordan Rojas of Hendrickson High School (TX) finished third. Venkatraj’s hopes of winning both categories ended when he was eliminated in the semi-final round.

Aside from Larkin, the only other prominent National Points Race competitor in the field was Phoebe Lin of Plano West Senior High School (TX). Lin made the semi-finals of IX and did not clear into the outrounds of the USX portion of the tournament.

All of the extempers reaching the semi-final round earned a qualification leg for the 2015 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. Eleven extempers locked up their qualifications for this year’s tournament, and four of them did so at the tournament based on their performance in both categories. These extempers included Nicholas Curtis of Westwood High School (TX), Evans, Zach Falkenbury of Hendrickson, Emily Hua and Hasan Syed of Plano West, Ayesha Karnik of Flower Mound High School (TX), Michael Lupher of L.C. Anderson High School (TX), Smriti Ahuja, Simbai Mutandrio and Shreetika Singh of Seven Lakes High School (TX), and Venkatraj. Twenty-four competitors earned their first qualifying leg. All of those receiving TOC qualifying legs are indicated in italics below.

Here are the results of the 2014 University of Texas-Austin Longhorn Classic (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 Princeton Classic: Barton Holds Off Primack For First TOC Win of the Season

By geniao44446

On December 10, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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Princeton University was one of four colleges hosting an Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifying tournament last weekend, welcoming sixty-three extempers from across the Northeast and a few additional states. Charlie Barton of Regis High School (NY) held off a fierce final round challenge from Jasper Primack of Newton South High School (MA) to win the title in the cumulative tournament, which combines extempers preliminary and outround ranks to determine a champion. Barton took fifth in the final, but his sizable lead going in helped him defeat Primack, who won the final round by four ranks.

Syosset High School placed two extempers in the final round, more than any other school. Justin Kang finished third and Peter Joyce finished sixth.

All of the extempers making the final round at Princeton earned a qualifying leg for the 2015 Extemp TOC. Three extempers – Justin Cooper of Scarsdale High School (NY), Kang, and Brian Min of Trinity Preparatory School (FL) – earned their second and final TOC qualification leg to add their names to the TOC qual board. Joyce earned his first qualification leg at the tournament. All of the extempers earning a qualification leg are indicated in italics below.

All of the finalists also earned an automatic qualification to the University of Kentucky TOC in April.

Here are the results of the 2014 Princeton Classic (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 George C. Armstrong Heart of Illinois Invitational: Hedrick Repeats As Champion; Riggs and Matsuda Qualify for Extemp TOC

By geniao44446

On December 9, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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The 2014 George C. Armstrong Heart of Illinois Invitational, contested each year on the campus of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, followed the same script as the previous edition as Lane Hedrick of Rowan County Senior High School (KY) successfully defended her extemporaneous speaking championship. Hedrick defeated twenty-one other competitors and a final round that featured extempers from four different states. In the final, Hedrick took two of the three available first place ranks to defeat Anna Riggs of Munster High School (IN) by three ranks.

Munster High School was the strongest school at the tournament, placing two extempers in finals. In addition to Riggs, Emily Wierman placed third.

Downers Grove North High School (IL) also had two finalists – Dan Brophy and Charlie Stark – and they finished fourth and sixth, respectively.

All of the extempers who reached the final round earned a qualifying leg to this year’s 2015 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. Two extempers – Riggs and Ethan Matsuda of Fullerton Joint Union High School (CA) – finalized their at-large TOC qualification at the tournament. The other four finalists earned their first TOC qualifying leg.

All of the finalists also earned an automatic qualification to the 2015 University of Kentucky TOC in April.

Here are the results of the 2014 Bradley University George C. Armstrong Heart of Illinois Invitational (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 Glenbrooks: Glaser Defeats Larkin to Become First Colorado Extemper to Win the Glenbrooks

By geniao44446

On November 25, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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History was made last weekend at the Glenbrooks, the first third tier National Points Race tournament of the season, as Jack Glaser of George Washington High School (CO) became the first Colorado extemper to win the tournament. Glaser, a participant at last year’s Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin and finalist at this year’s New York City Invitational, took two of the three available first place ranks in the final round and defeated Davis Larkin of the Parish Episcopal School (TX) by two ranks to claim the title. Giancarlo Musetti of Cypress Bay High School (FL) finished three ranks behind Glaser and took third.

The final was dominated by traditional extemp powers as Texas and Florida each had two finalists. Andrew Langford of Lake Highland Preparatory School (FL) participated in his second National Points Race tournament final of the season and took fourth, while Marshall Webb of Saint Mary’s Hall (TX) placed sixth.

The lone Northeast representative in the final round, Marshall Sloane of Milton Academy (MA), who is the defending Massachusetts state champion, placed fifth.

One of the bigger stories that came out of Glenbrooks, and one that is sure to shake up the National Points Race, concerned the extempers who did not reach the final round. Justin Graham of Trinity Preparatory School (FL), who received credit for winning Florida Blue Key, and Wake Forest winner Yijia Liang of Upper Arlington High School (OH) did not make the final round. Neither did 2014 NSDA United States Extemp finalist and two-time California state USX champion Brian Yu of Monte Vista High School (CA) and last year’s Barkley Forum winner Brian Anderson of LaRue County High School (KY). All of these competitors were eliminated in the semi-final round.

National Points Race leader Eitan Sapiro-Gheiler of Durham Academy (NC) was in the field, but did not break into the quarter-final round.

All of the extempers reaching quarter-finals at the Glenbrooks earned a qualifying leg for the 2015 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. All of the finalists also earned an automatic qualification to the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions (TOC). Two extempers – Oscar Larraza of Nova Senior High School (FL) and Musetti – finalized their TOC qualification by earning their second leg, while eleven other extempers earned their first leg at the tournament. All of the extempers earning a qualifying leg for the TOC are indicated in italics below.

The National Points Race and TOC calendar resume in two weeks. The George Mason University Patriot Games will be a third tier National Points Race event as well as a TOC qualifier. Other TOC tournaments on the calendar include the George C. Armstrong Heart of Illinois Invitational at Bradley University, the University of Texas Longhorn Classic, and the Princeton Classic.

Here are the results of the 2014 Glenbrooks (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 Villiger Speech & Debate Tournament: Wartel Becomes First Extemper to Repeat Since 1987; Teammate Tobin Takes Second

By geniao44446

On November 25, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the site of the thirty-fifth annual Villiger Speech and Debate Tournament, a 2015 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifier. Josh Wartel of Lake Braddock Secondary School (VA) made a successful defense of his championship, taking three of the five available first place ranks in the final round and winning by a nine rank margin over teammate Ben Tobin. Wartel’s title defense is the first to take place at Villiger since 1987, when Michael Tidd of LaSalle College High School (PA) defended his extemp championship.

The other four finalists made their first appearance in a TOC qualifying tournament final round this year. Robby Cummins of Good Counsel High School (MD) took third, Clare Halsey of Ridge High School (NJ) placed fourth, Justin Cooper of Scarsdale High School (NY) took fifth, and Christopher Lee of Regis High School (NY) rounded out the final in placing sixth.

All of the extempers who made the quarter-final round of the tournament acquired a qualifying leg for this year’s Extemp TOC at Northwestern University. Four extempers – Charlie Barton of Regis High School, Avni Mahagaoker and Collin Montag of Ridge High School (NJ), and Collin Quigley of Holy Ghost Preparatory School (PA) – acquired their second leg of the 2014-2015 campaign and finalized their TOC qualification. Fourteen other extempers, including three of the finalists, earned their first qualifying leg of the season. All of those acquiring a qualifying leg are indicated in italics below.

In addition to the Extemp TOC at Northwestern, all of the finalists of Villiger earned an automatic qualification to the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions (TOC) in April.

Here are the results of the 2014 Villiger Speech and Debate Tournament (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 Florida Blue Key: Wexler Wins Split IX Final Round; Graham Dominates USX and Secures First National Points Race Win of the Season

By geniao44446

On November 7, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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Last weekend the fifth tournament in the National Points Race, the Florida Blue Key, took place on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville. The tournament allows extempers to compete in International and United States Extemporaneous Speaking and just like last year’s edition, where Miles Saffran and Lily Nellans traded wins, different extempers won each category.

In International Extemp, Noah Wexler of Nova Senior High School (FL), who finished second to Jasper Primack at the New York City Invitational this season, edged out Justin Graham of Trinity Preparatory School (FL) and Wake Forest winner Yijia Liang of Upper Arlington High School (OH) by one rank. Josh Wartel of Lake Braddock Secondary School (VA) took two first place ranks in the final, more than any other extemper, but two fifth place ranks caused him to finish in fourth place.

In the United States Extemp portion of the tournament Graham demolished the competition, capturing four of the five available first place ranks in the final round to beat Eitan Sapiro-Gheiler of Durham Academy (NC) by eight ranks. This was Graham’s third win at a TOC qualifying tournament this season as he won both halves of the Crestian Tradition three weeks ago. Jacob Levenson of Nova Senior High School, the only extemper other to Graham to make the final round of both extemp categories at the tournament, took third place.

Extempers had their finishes in each extemp category combined to determine the allocation of National Points Race points. Graham’s win in USX and his runner-up finish in IX made him the best extemper at the Blue Key. He will receive forty National Points Race points and be credited with a victory. Levenson’s finishes allowed him to receive second place points, and Wexler will receive third place points.

The extempers who reached the semi-finals and beyond in each category earned a qualifying leg for the 2015 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. Six extempers – Andrew Langford of Lake Highland Preparatory School (FL), Connor Leech of Durham Academy, Levenson, Adele Stock and Wexler of Nova Senior, and Thomas Rollins of the Potomac School (VA) – finalized their at-large TOC qualifications at the tournament. Three other extempers earned their first qualifying leg. All extempers that earned a TOC qualification leg are indicated in italics below.

Furthermore, all of the finalists in either extemp category earned an automatic qualification to the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions (TOC) in April.

Here are the results of the 2014 Florida Blue Key (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 New York City Invitational: Primack Cruises to Victory and Earns Second Consecutive National Points Race Tournament Win; Wexler Finishes Second

By geniao44446

On October 21, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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The second National Points Race tournament held last weekend was the New York City Invitational, which took place at the Bronx High School of Science in New York, New York. Jasper Primack of Newton South High School (MA) won his second consecutive National Points Race tournament of the season by defeating Noah Wexler of Nova Senior High School (FL) by an eleven rank margin. Primack’s large margin of victory was owed to him taking four of the five first place ranks in the final round. With this win, Primack earns forty National Points Race points.

The final round of the tournament was very Florida heavy as four of the six finalists compete for schools in the Sunshine State. In addition to Wexler, Justin Graham of Trinity Preparatory School, who won both halves of the Crestian Tradition last week, placed third. Wexler’s teammate Adele Stock took fifth and Nathaniel Saffran of Trinity Preparatory placed sixth in his third final appearance at a National Points Race tournament this season.

Jack Glaser of George Washington High School (CO), who competed at last year’s Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin, placed fourth.

The New York City Invitational is not a qualifier to the 2015 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University, but it is a qualifier for the University of Kentucky TOC in April. All of the finalists at the tournament earned qualifications to the UK TOC.

Here are the results of the 2014 New York City Invitational (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 St. Mark’s Heart of Texas Invitational: Sridharan Wins IX; Cash Defends Booker T. Washington’s Title in USX; Lin Scores National Points Race Win

By geniao44446

On October 20, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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The 2014-2015 Extemp Central National Points Race continued last weekend at the St. Mark’s Heart of Texas Invitational. The tournament, a fifth tier contest in the National Points Race, is one of two tournaments in this year’s competition that allows extempers to compete in International and United States Extemp. In International Extemp, Abhinav Sridharan of Plano Senior High School (TX), who won the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) State Championship in International Extemp last season, finished three ranks ahead of teammate Kishan Srikanth to take the title. Phoebe Lin of Plano West Senior High School (TX) tied Srikanth for second place, but fell to third place on a judge’s tiebreaker. Sridharan is the first Plano Senior extemper to win the IX category at St. Mark’s since the 2010-2011 season.

In United States Extemp, Micah Cash of Booker T. Washington High School (OK), a quarterfinalist at last year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University, successfully defended his team’s championship in the event by beating Lin by two ranks in the final round. Lin’s teammate Matthew Feng took third place.

To avoid double counting in the National Points Race, Extemp Central awards fifth tier points to the six extempers who had the best performances in each extemp category. Despite not winning either event, Lin will earn the forty first place points from St. Mark’s due to her high placing in IX and USX. She will also be credited with a victory in the National Points Race standings. Cash and Sridharan had the same point total when their finishes in both categories were calculated, so they will split the points awarded to a third and fourth place finisher in the National Points Race and receive twenty-four points each. The six extempers who will receive points, as well as the extemper who finished next out in the competition, can be found at the bottom of the results listing.

All of the extempers who made the semifinal round of their respective extemp category earned qualifying legs to the 2015 Extemp TOC. Four extempers – Feng, Neil Patel of Plano West, Sridharan, and Srikanth – earned their TOC qualification at the tournament due to their performance in both category. Five other extempers earned their first qualifying legs. All of the extempers that earned a qualifying leg are indicated in italics below.

Here are the results of the 2014 St. Mark’s Heart of Texas Invitational (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 Yale Invitational: Primack Wins Second National Circuit Title; Sapiro-Gheiler Finishes Runner-Up For the Second Straight Week

By geniao44446

On September 23, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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This year’s edition of the Yale Invitational attracted one of the largest fields in tournament history as 124 extempers turned out for the second tournament on the 2014-2015 national circuit calendar. Jasper Primack of Newton South High School (MA) won the cumulative tournament, as well as his second national circuit championship, by three ranks over Eitan Sapiro-Gheiler of Durham Academy (NC). Primack, who won the George Mason University Patriot Games last season, is the first extemper from Newton South to win Yale. Primack will receive seventy National Points Race points for the win.

Sapiro-Gheiler finished runner-up at a National Points Race tournament for the second consecutive week. The last extemper to start the year with consecutive runner-up finishes was Nathaniel Donahue, also of Durham Academy, who went on to win the 2011 National Points Race.

Four of the extempers who reached the final round participated were finalists or semi-finalists at last year’s NSDA National Tournament. In addition to Primack, Josh Wartel of Lake Braddock Secondary School (VA), a two-time finalist in United States Extemp, finished third. Brian Anderson of LaRue County High School (KY), who placed fourteenth at last year’s NSDA Nationals in USX, finished fourth. And Vishal Narayanaswamy of James Madison Memorial High School (WI), who finished seventh in USX at last year’s NSDA, took fifth place.

Three of the finalists from Wake Forest found their way into the Yale final round as well. The winner of that tournament, Yijia Liang of Upper Arlington High School (OH), who entered Yale as the National Points Race leader finished sixth. Nathaniel Saffran of Trinity Preparatory School (FL), who took third at Wake Forest, ended the tournament in fifth place.

Ridge High School (NJ) had the largest number of outround participants, sending eight extempers into elimination rounds. However, the team failed to place an extemper in the final round.

According to the new qualification procedures of the Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC), all of the extempers that reached the quarter-final round and beyond earned qualifying legs. Thirteen extempers earned their first qualifying leg and four extempers – Sapiro-Gheiler, Saffran, Vaikunth Balaji of Ridge High School, and Brian Min of Trinity Preparatory – earned their second TOC qualifying leg and become the first at-large qualifiers of the 2014-2015 season. The extempers who earned a TOC qualifying leg are indicated in italics in the resulting listing below. The next Extemp TOC qualifying tournament will take place in three weeks at the Crestian Tradition in Weston, Florida.

Here are the results of the 2014 Yale Invitational (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 Wake Forest National Earlybird: Liang Becomes the National Points Race Leader; Sapiro-Gheiler Takes Second

By geniao44446

On September 16, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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The 2014-2015 season kicked off last weekend in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at the Wake Forest National Earlybird. Forty-nine extempers participated in the first national circuit competition competition of the year. In the final round, Yijia Liang of Upper Arlington High School (OH) earned a three rank victory over North Carolina native Eitan Sapiro-Gheiler of Durham Academy to claim the title. Liang, a semi-finalist at last season’s National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) nationals, becomes the first Ohio extemper in ten years to win Wake Forest. The last Ohio competitor to do so was Whitney Willits of Perry High School in 2004. The victory makes Liang the inaugural leader of this year’s National Points Race competition. It is his first national circuit victory as well.

Nathaniel Saffran of Trinity Preparatory School (FL) came close to succeeding his brother Miles as Wake Forest champion, but he fell four ranks shy. If he had been successful it would have been the first time that a sibling duo won a national circuit tournament in back-to-back years.

Elizabeth Kingaby of Central Cabarrus High School (NC) appeared in the Wake Forest final for the second consecutive year. She placed sixth.

Three of the finalists in this year’s tournament – Saffran, Sydney Britton of American Heritage School (FL), and Ben Tobin of Lake Braddock Secondary School (VA) – were semi-finalists in last year’s competition.

Of all of the schools competing at the tournament, Durham Academy had the most breaks with three. In addition to Sapiro-Gheiler’s runner-up finish, the school placed Abhishek Kodumagulla and Connor Leech in the semi-final round.

All of the finalists earned National Points Race points. Under the new qualification guidelines of the Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) only the finalists earned qualifying legs. Two of the finalists – Liang and Tobin – were prequalified to this year’s TOC. The extempers that earned a qualification leg are indicated in italics in the results listing.

Here are the results of the 2014 Wake Forest National Earlybird (Click here for tab sheet):

2014 Extemp TOC: Nellans Wins Third TOC Title & Breaks Major Championship Record

By geniao44446

On May 12, 2014

In Extemp TOC, National Circuit Results

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History was made Sunday at the 2014 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC). Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt High School (IA) won her third consecutive TOC championship and her seventh major championship. Nellans victory over Chase Harrison of Millburn High School (NJ) gives her more major championships than any extemper in history. She has also won the second leg of the Grand Slam for the third straight year. In 2012, Nellans came just shy of becoming the second extemper in history to win a season Grand Slam when she finished third in International Extemp at the NFL (now NSDA) National Tournament. If she were to win the NSDA National Tournament this year, she would complete a career Grand Slam, something only one other extemper – Kevin Troy of Eagan High School – has ever done.

The tournament featured sixty extempers and the final round contained the top five finishers from this year’s Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin. The finalists also shared two national championships, six NSDA final round appearances, and eleven 2014 TOC qualifying championships between them. Two of the finalists, Nellans and third place finisher Miles Saffran of Trinity Preparatory School (FL), will compete in International Extemp at the 2014 NSDA National Tournament, while the other four (Harrison, Josh Wartel of Lake Braddock Secondary School (VA), Arel Rende of Booker T. Washington High School (OK), and Sydney Walter of Salado High School (TX)) will compete in United States Extemp. It is very likely that elements of this TOC final round will be played out again in a month’s time in Overland Park, Kansas.

The TOC also gives out a service and coaching award each year. This year’s service award went to Harry Strong of Des Moines Roosevelt. The coaching award went to Meredith Deaton of Booker T. Washington.

Lake Braddock Secondary School was the tournament’s sweepstakes award winner, besting Booker T. Washington by ten and a half points.

According to TOC qualifying rules, all extempers reaching elimination rounds at the tournament automatically qualify for the 2015 TOC. Fourteen extempers met this criteria and earn tickets back to Evanston next season. These extempers are indicated in italics below. Extemp Central will have the 2015 TOC qualification board posted just prior to the NCFL Grand National Tournament.

Here are the results of the 2014 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (Click here for tab sheet):