Category: National Circuit Results Page 8 of 12

2013 St. Mark’s: Sherren Posts Impressive Victory in International Extemp; Defending NFL USX Champion Rende Takes U.S. Extemp

On October 22, 2013

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Last weekend, the St. Mark’s Heart of Texas Invitational featured its unique extemporaneous speaking tournament that allows extempers to compete in International and United States Extemp. The tournament typically features the best students from Texas and a few Midwestern states and the final rounds tend to have some overlap between them. In this year’s event, Oliver Sherren of the Parish Episcopal School (TX) won the International Extemp title by posting straight 1’s in his final round and Arel Rende of Booker T. Washington High School (OK) secured a four rank victory in United States Extemp. Rende was last year’s NFL United States Extemp national champion and he is the first Oklahoma extemper to win a championship at St. Mark’s since at least the year 2000. Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt High School (IA) finished second in each category. Nellans won both categories last year, so Dillon Huff of Southlake Carroll High School (TX) remains the last extemper to attend St. Mark’s and win consecutive titles. Huff accomplished this feat in 2008 and 2009 by winning the International Extemp category. Aside from Rende and Nellans, the only other extemper who made both final rounds was Ash Maholtra of Plano Senior High School (TX), who finished 4th in both categories. Booker T. Washington High School had four finalists across both extemp categories at the tournament, the highest of any school in attendance.

International Extemp featured fifty-three competitors, meaning that all competitors who made the semi-final round and beyond earned a qualifying leg to this year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. United States Extemp featured sixty-two competitors, so all extempers who made the quarter-final round and beyond earned a qualifying leg. In total, twenty extempers earned qualifying legs and five extempers, Sherren, Grant Bumgarner of Booker T. Washington High School (OK), Phoebe Lin of Plano West High School (TX), and Sydney Walter and Rachel Evans of Salado High School (TX), earned both qualifying legs at the tournament to earn a tentative qualification to this year’s TOC. All extempers that earned a qualifying leg for this finish are indicated in italics.

This weekend, the Florida Blue Key Tournament, which allows extempers to double up in both extemp categories, will take place at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida.

Here are the results from St. Mark’s (Click here for tab sheet):

2013 Crestian Tradition: Nova’s Wexler Triumphs

By geniao44446

On October 9, 2013

In National Circuit Results

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Last week, the Crestian Tradition, the successor of the Crestian Classic, took place at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Florida. The tournament featured thirty-one extempers and Noah Wexler of Nova Senior High School (FL) emerged victorious in the final round by one rank over Daniel Greene of the University School (FL). Wexler did not take a single first place rank in the final, but his straight 2’s were good enough to triumph, demonstrating that consistency can be a speaker’s best weapon. The final round featured extempers from Florida, Texas, and California and Nova Senior High School placed two extempers in the final, which was more than any other school.

Due to the size of the tournament field, only the extempers that reached the final round receive a qualifying leg to the Extemp TOC. Those extempers who earned a qualifying leg are indicated in italics below. In total, five extempers received a qualifying leg from the tournament and two of them, Wexler and Justin Graham of Trinity Preparatory School (FL), who placed fourth, acquired a second qualifying leg, making them the second and third extempers, respectively, to tentatively qualify at-large to the 2014 Extemp TOC.

There are no TOC qualfying tournaments this weekend, but next weekend will feature two opportunities for extempers to earn qualifying legs: the St. Mark’s Heart of Texas Invitational in Dallas, Texas, which will allow extempers in the U.S. Extemp and International Extemp categories a chance to earn two qualifying legs, and the Cal State University-Fullerton High School Tournament in Fullerton, California.

Here are the results of the 2013 Crestian Tradition (Click here for tab sheets)

2013 Yale University Invitational: Saffran Nearly Goes Straight One’s to Claim His Second Consecutive National Circuit Title of the Year; Former Champion Harrison Finishes Second

By geniao44446

On September 23, 2013

In National Circuit Results

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At last weekend’s Yale Invitational in New Haven, Connecticut, Miles Saffran of Trinity Preparatory School (FL) won his second consecutive national circuit tournament of the season with a commanding victory over 2011 Yale champion Chase Harrison of Millburn High School (NJ) and Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt High School (IA). Saffran’s margin of victory was eleven ranks in the cumulative tournament and he nearly picket fenced the entire tournament, claiming only one rank below a one all weekend. Saffran went straight 1’s in the final, which featured five judges. Saffran is the first Florida extemper to win at Yale since at least 2001 and he becomes the first extemper in the last thirteen years to win Wake Forest and Yale.

105 extempers competed at Yale, meaning that all elimination round participants have earned an unofficial qualifying leg to the 2014 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. Nineteen extempers that were not previously qualified to the next TOC received qualifying legs and one extemper, Nathaniel Saffran of Trinity Preparatory School, becomes the first extemper to earn an unofficial at-large bid to the tournament after breaking at Wake Forest two weeks ago. Extempers that earned a qualifying leg are in italics.

Here are the full results from the 2013 Yale Invitational Tournament:

2013 Wake Forest National Early Bird: Saffran Takes First National Circuit Title of the Season; Wartel Second

By geniao44446

On September 17, 2013

In National Circuit Results

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Last weekend saw the kickoff of the 2013-2014 national circuit extemporaneous speaking season in Winston Salem, North Carolina at the Wake Forest National Early Bird Tournament.

Miles Safffran of Trinity Preparatory School (FL) defeated forty-six other extempers from twenty-five schools to claim this year’s title, securing a three rank victory over Josh Wartel of Lake Braddock Secondary School (VA), a finalist at last year’s NFL National Tournament in United States Extemporaneous Speaking. Saffran was last year’s Barkley Forum champion and placed fourth at the Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) Extemp Round Robin. He becomes the first Florida extemper to win Wake Forest since Varun Akula of Lake Highland Preparatory School, who won in 2003. Trinity Preparatory School also placed two finalists, more than any other school. Defending champion Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt High School (IA) was in the field, but missed the semi-final break.

Since there were more than forty extempers in the field, all extempers who reached elimination rounds have earned a qualifying leg to the 2014 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. However, the 2014 TOC procedures are still being finalized, so that is subject to change. Eight of the extempers that reached eliminated rounds earned a TOC leg. The other six elimination round participants were previously qualified. To check out the current TOC qualifying leaderboard, click here.

The next TOC qualifying tournament is this weekend, when the Yale University Invitational will be held on the Yale campus in New Haven, Connecticut.

Here are the results from this year’s Wake Forest National Early Bird Tournament (Those earning a TOC qualifying leg are indicated in italics):

2013 MBA Extemp Round Robin Results: Nellans Wins Second Championship; Leys Wins Exhibition Round

By geniao44446

On January 6, 2013

In MBA Coverage, National Circuit Results

This year’s Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin saw the field reduced back to its original size of sixteen competitors and when the tournament wrapped up today, Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt High School in Iowa successfully defended her Round Robin championship from last season and won the fourth major championship of her career. This is the first time in tournament history that a champion has successfully defend their title. Nellans defeated teammate Nathan Leys by one rank in a very competitive and close tournament. Nellans and Leys are the first teammates to take first and second in the fifteen year history of the Round Robin.

Despite losing a close battle in the tournament, Leys did capture the Exhibition Round championship with a speech about whether the Affordable Care Act would produce inflation in health care costs.

Here are the results of this year’s Round Robin:

Champion: Lily Nellans (Des Moines Roosevelt High School, Iowa)
2nd: Nathan Leys (Des Moines Roosevelt High School, Iowa)
3rd: Isabelle Taft (Henry W. Grady High School, Georgia)
4th: Miles Saffran (Trinity Preparatory School, Florida)
5th: Chase Harrison (Millburn High School, New Jersey)
6th (missing Exhibition Round by one rank): Josh Wartel (Lake Braddock High School, Virginia)

Exhibition Round Champion: Nathan Leys (Des Moines Roosevelt High School, Iowa)

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2012 Extemp TOC: Nellans Wins Her Second Consecutive Grand Slam Tournament and Fourth National Points Race Tournament; Harrison Takes Second

By geniao44446

On May 20, 2012

In Extemp TOC, National Circuit Results

Last week, the tenth edition of the Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) was held at Northwestern University. Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt High School in Iowa won the second consecutive leg of the extemporaneous speaking Grand Slam by defeating Chase Harrison of Millburn High School, this year’s Yale champion, in the final round. For Nellans to complete the Grand Slam, which has not been done since Kevin Troy of Eagan High School in Minnesota accomplished the feat in 2005, she will need to win CFL and NFL Nationals. Nellans won the MBA Extemp Round Robin earlier this year and her victory will give her 100 points in the Extemp Central National Points Race. Des Moines Roosevelt High School in Iowa continued its impressive streak of showings on the national level this year by having two the top three extempers in the tournament. Carolyn Evans of Des Moines Roosevelt placed third behind Nellans and Harrison.

All of the elimination round participants per TOC qualification rules have already locked up a spot in next year’s Extemp TOC.

Here are the full results of the tournament (tab sheet can be found by clicking here)

2012 California Invitational: Cherian Triumphs; Bellarmine College Prep Takes Top Two

By geniao44446

On February 21, 2012

In National Circuit Results

This year’s California Invitational attracted 178 extempers to the University of California at Berkeley’s campus and Bellarmine College Prep’s John Cherian, who is ranked in the top five of the National Points Race, came out on top. Cherian will earn 70 points for this victory in this year’s National Points Race. Cherian’s teammate James Thomas placed second. Wake Forest winner Jason Singh of Green Valley High School in Nevada placed fourth.

All of the finalists and semi-finalists at this year’s California Invitational will earn National Points Race points. All of the extempers who made the octofinal round and beyond have earned a qualification leg to this year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions at Northwestern University.

Here are the full results of the 2012 California Invitational (Click here to access the tab sheet)

2012 Harvard University National High School Invitational Tournament: McDonald Captures Second Title of the Season in a Packed Final Round

By geniao44446

On February 21, 2012

In National Circuit Results

At this year’s Harvard University National High School Invitational, Bill McDonald of Brophy College Prep completed a unique achievement by emerging from a field of nearly 200 extempers to take the title. McDonald’s championship goes with his Glenbrooks title earlier in the season, giving him victories in two of the largest open invitational tournaments of the year. Since Harvard is a second tier tournament, McDonald will earn 150 National Points Race points for his victory.

The final round also featured several highly ranked competitor in the National Points Race. Barkley Forum Champion Ben Constine took second in the tournament and Isabelle Taft, the winner of the George Mason University Patriot Games Tournament this season, took third. MBA Extemp Round Robin Champion Lily Nellans finished fourth.

All of the extempers who made the octofinal round will receive National Points Race points and have also received a qualification leg to the Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC).

Here are the full results of the 2012 Harvard University National High School Invitational Tournament (Click here for tab sheet):

2012 Schwan’s Speech Spectacular: Nellans Wins Third National Circuit Tournament This Year; Leys Finishes Second

By geniao44446

On February 2, 2012

In National Circuit Results

Last weekend the Schwan’s Speech Spectacular, a new tournament in the National Points Race, was held and MBA Round Robin Champion Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt High School in Iowa bested fifty-nine other extempers to claim the title. Nellans defeated teammate and National Points Race leader Nathan Leys in the final round to earn her third victory in a National Points Race tournament this season. The Schwan’s Speech Spectacular is a fifth tier tournament in the National Points Race, so only the finalists earned National Points Race points. The tournament is also a qualifying tournament for the Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC).

Here are the results of the tournament (Full results can be accessed here):

TOC Qualifier Results: The Columbia Invitational

By geniao44446

On February 2, 2012

In National Circuit Results

Here are the results of the Columbia Invitational tournament, held on January 20-22nd at Columbia University in New York, New York. The tournament is a qualifier for the 2012 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University:

Champion: Ben Constine (Yorktown High School, Virginia)

2nd: Gabriel Ferrante (Iona Preparatory, New York)

3rd: Joe Calder (Cary Academy, North Carolina)

4th: Zach Klein (Montville High School, New Jersey)

5th: Camille Petersen (Villa Walsh Academy, New Jersey)

6th: Jake Ether, Half Hollow Hills High School, New York)

7th: Shreyas Halvaldar, Half Hollow Hills High School, New York)

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2012 Barkley Forum: Constine Wins Second National Circuit Title; Defending Champion Taft Finishes Third

By geniao44446

On February 1, 2012

In National Circuit Results

At least week’s Barkely Forum, 49 extempers battled for the title in the first fourth tier tournament of the second semester. Ben Constine of Yorktown High School in Virginia scored the second national circuit title of his career, outlasting James Fishback of IB-Boyd Anderson High School in Florida and defending champion and MBA runner-up Isabelle Taft of Henry W. Grady High School in Georgia. Since the Barkley Forum in a fourth tier tournament, all of the extempers that made the semi-final round and beyond will earn National Points Race points. All of the extempers that broke at the tournament have earned a bid to this year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. The round was recorded and will be posted to NFL TV. When it is posted, Extemp Central will provide a link to it.

Here are the full results from the Barkley Forum:

2012 James Logan MLK Invitational: Zhu & Cherian Triumph; Bellarmine College Prep Takes Top Three in International Extemp

By geniao44446

On February 1, 2012

In National Circuit Results

The James Logan MLK Invitational, which is a new addition to this year’s National Points Race, was held several weeks ago in Union City, California. The tournament splits the field into United States and International Extemp categories. Mike Zhu of Dougherty Valley High School in California won U.S. Extemp and John Cherian of Bellarmine College Prep in California won International Extemp. Bellarmine College Prep led all of the other schools in the tournament by placing the top three competitors in International Extemp and having a finalist in U.S. Extemp. Since extempers cannot enter both categories at MLK, Extemp Central does not need to worry about double counting like we do at Florida Blue Key or St. Mark’s. As a result, all finalists in each category earn points, although teams are still capped, with their top three finishers counting for points for the National Team Points Race.

Here are the results of the James Logan High School MLK Invitational (full results can be found here):

2012 Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin: Lily Nellans Becomes the First Sophomore Extemper to Win the Round Robin and Win the Exhibition Round

By geniao44446

On January 8, 2012

In MBA Coverage, National Circuit Results

Scisco Note: Since these results were posted around midnight, the news quiz will be released TONIGHT at 8 p.m. so that this can our lead headline for today.

The competitive and close 2012 Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin concluded several hours ago and at awards it was announced that Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt High School in Iowa, who is the #2 extemper in the National Points Race, won the tournament by nine ranks over Isabelle Taft of Henry W. Grady High School in Georgia. Nellans was the second sophomore to make the Exhibition Round, but she set a new record by becoming the first sophomore to win the tournament. With Nellans and Taft taking the top two spots, this is the first time in Round Robin history that two female extempers have finished first and second. Nellans becomes the fourth extemper in the fourteen year history of the tournament to win the tournament and the Exhibition Round. She is also the first extemper from Iowa to win the Round Robin and the Exhibition Round since Brian Garfield of Dowling Catholic High School pulled off the sweep in 2000. John Cherian of Bellarmine College Prep in California rounded out the top three, while National Points Race leader Nathan Leys of Des Moines Roosevelt finished fourth. Another notable fact about this year’s tournament is that only one of the tournament’s top five competitors was a senior (Teagan Lende of Ronald Davies High School in North Dakota), setting the stage for another exciting Round Robin next year in Nashville, Tennessee.

Here are the results of this year’s tournament. The top six will receive National Points Race points and the National Points Race will be updated by Friday.

2011 George Mason University Patriot Games: Taft Sweeps the Weekend; Wins Third Career National Circuit Title

By geniao44446

On December 6, 2011

In National Circuit Results

The George Mason University Patriot Games, which is the last National Points Race tournament of the first semester, was held this past weekend and when it ended, Isabelle Taft of Henry W. Grady High School in Georgia defeated National Points Race leader Nathan Leys of Des Moines Roosevelt High School in Iowa. This is Taft’s third career national circuit victory, which goes with her Wake Forest and Barkley Forum titles earned last season. Ben Constine of Yorktown High School in Virginia fought his way to a third place finish. Des Moines Roosevelt continued its impressive showing on the national stage this year, by also placing Lily Nellans in the final round. Nellans finished fifth. The round robin that GMU holds before the general tournament followed the same result order, as Taft defeated Leys and Constine finished third.

The semi-finalist and quarter-finalist results will be typed in over the next couple of days, as all competitors who made these elimination rounds received bids to the 2012 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. Since George Mason is a third tier tournament in the National Points Race, Taft will earn 100 points for her victory and all competitors who made elimination rounds will earn points for themselves and their respective schools.

On another note, GMU is the last major tournament held before bids to the Montgomery Bell Extemp Round Robin are sent out. When we get word about the complete field for this year’s 2012 Round Robin, we will post it here on Extemp Central.

2011 Glenbrooks: McDonald Wins a Wild Glenbrooks; Des Moines Roosevelt Puts Two in Finals

By geniao44446

On November 21, 2011

In National Circuit Results

The 2011 Glenbrooks might go down as one of the wildest in recent memory. After the final round concluded, Bill McDonald of Brophy College Preparatory in Arizona, Nathan Leys of Des Moines Roosevelt High School in Iowa, and John Cherian of Bellarmine College Prep in California ended up in a three way, unbreakable tie, with a cumulative score of seven. The tournament broke the tie by counting all of the extempers ranks in elimination rounds. This left McDonald and Leys in a tie with twenty-two ranks and the tournament then broke that tie by judges preference, where McDonald prevailed two judges to one. McDonald’s victory will net him 100 points in this year’s National Points Race. Aside from the top three competitors, the final round was littered with several notable national names. Matt DeBari of Lake Highland Preparatory in Florida made another final round appearance as did Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt. Sophomore Abhishek Bhargava of Jackson High School in Ohio, who made the semi-finals of International Extemp at last year’s NFL National Tournament, also made the final round.

The National Points Race will be updated by the end of the week to reflect the results of the Glenbrooks. All of the extempers who made the elimination rounds earned a bid to this year’s 2012 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions at Northwestern University.

Here are the results of the tournament (you can access the tab sheet by clicking here):