While many students around the country were gearing up for Advanced Placement (AP) exams and graduation, Northwestern University hosted the twenty-second edition of the Tournament of Champions (TOC) in Extemporaneous Speaking from May 2-4. 36 extempers made the trip to Evanston for the year’s second post-season tournament.

#3 Daphne Kalir-Starr of the College Preparatory School (CA) won her first National Points Race event of the season, defeating Boyana Nikolova of Irondale High School (MN) by three ranks in the final round. Since the TOC is a fourth tier event, Kalir-Starr will receive 70 points for the win and this finish gets her into the mix of potential National Points Race winners.

The seven judge final round panel was split in awarding their first place ranks among the top three competitors. #5 Rowan Seipp of A&M Consolidated High School (TX) won three of those first place ranks, more than any other competitor, but still finished six ranks back of Kalir-Starr for the title, having to settle for third place.

Six ranks back of Seipp was Sophia Amundgaard of Stillwater High School (MN), reaching her first National Points Race final round of the season.

Plano East Senior High School (TX) teammates #21 Pranav Gorty and Arya Gurumukhi were fifth and sixth, respectively.

There were a few ranked competitors who reached the semi-final round as well and will also receive National Points Race points. These include #9 Sahana Srikanth of Mason High School (OH), #23 Kajal Parmar of Cary Academy (NC), and #25 Ishika Kothari of Plano East.

Here are the results of the 2025 Tournament of Champions in Extemporaneous Speaking:

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