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Last Friday, the 2014 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament concluded in Overland Park, Kansas and two national champions were crowned. In United States Extemp, Arel Rende of Booker T. Washington High School (OK) became the fourth extemper in NSDA history to defend a USX national championship. Rende triumphed by seven ranks over Cosmo Albrecht of Robert E. Lee High School (TX). To repeat as champion Rende had to win the USX final round for the second consecutive year as he entered the final ten ranks behind Josh Wartel of Lake Braddock Secondary School (VA). Wartel ended up finishing third in the tournament and was the highest placing junior in the field. Rende becomes the first extemper in NSDA history to win the USX final round in consecutive years.
In International Extemp, Miles Saffran of Trinity Preparatory School (FL) won Florida’s first IX national championship. Saffran began the season by winning the Wake Forest National Earlybird and becomes the first extemper since 2007 to win the season’s first national circuit tournament and NSDA Nationals. Dylan Adelman of Lakeville South High School (MN) took second by eight ranks, but won the national final round championship. This gives Lakeville South three final round titles over the last five years. Adelman’s win also means that a Minnesota extemper has won the IX final round at the last four national tournaments. Rohan Dhoopar of Bellarmine College Preparatory (CA) finished third and was the highest placing junior in the IX field. Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt High School (IA) came up three places shy of winning a career grand slam at this year’s NSDA Nationals, but she ends her high school career with the major championship record.
Extemp Central congratulates all of the finalists and this year’s national champions and their coaches.
Here are the results of the 2014 NSDA National Tournament (Click here for tab sheet):