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)