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The state of Minnesota played host to its second 2014 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifier in as many weeks as Marshall High School and Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota played host to the annual Schwan’s Speech Spectacular. The tournament typically attracts a strong Midwest field and this year forty-two extempers competed in the varsity division. Adam Stromme of Eagan High School (MN) claimed his second TOC qualifying tournament title of the season by one rank in the final round over Lily Nellans of Des Moines Roosevelt High School (IA). Stromme, an NFL finalist last year in United States Extemp and winner of the Dowling Catholic Paradigm in December, and Nellans ended the tournament with the same cumulative total of seventeen ranks, but Stromme bested Nellans in the final to break the tie. This is the second consecutive runner-up finish at a Minnesota TOC qualifier for Nellans, who narrowly lost last week to Haley Brahmbhatt of Chanhassen High School (MN) at the Chanhassen Speech Tournament. Brahmbhatt made the final of the Schwan’s as well and placed fifth. Montgomery Bell Academy participant Jack Glaser of George Washington High School (CO) was also in the final round and took sixth.
Novice competitors faced off in a separate division of the tournament and Jarrek Holmes of Kent Denver School (CO) defeated Kevin Bi of East Ridge High School (MN) to claim the title. The novice division is not eligible for TOC qualifying legs.
The tournament broke to quarter-finals, but since there were fewer than sixty competitors in the field only those extempers that made the semi-final round and beyond earned TOC qualifying legs. Three extempers earned their first qualifying leg to this year’s TOC, but no one finished their at-large qualification at the tournament. Those extempers that earned a TOC qualifying leg are indicated in the results listing.
Here are the results of the 2014 Schwan’s Speech Spectacular (Click here for tab sheet):