Brownson Speech and Debate Wins Big as Season Starts  

Brownson Speech and Debate Team.

The Brownson Forensics Speech and Debate Team, based in the College of Communication and the Arts, started the semester strong with winning performances this month at the first competitions of the season.

The Seton Speakers came away with 35 awards total, including six first place finishes and the first place Team Sweepstakes at the Virginia is for Lovers swing event, a two-day virtual event hosted by George Mason University and James Madison University.

With only five students competing, highlights included senior and team captain Sean Keegan earning first Overall Speaker with first place finishes in Communication Analysis both days. Sophomore Safa Shaikh took first place in Informative Speaking and second in Impromptu Speaking, while senior Emily Feazel earned first place for After Dinner Speaking.

Brownson's victories came against teams from University of Alabama, Rice University, George Mason University, James Madison University, Texas State University, Hastings College, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Arizona State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and others.

The winning streak continued the following weekend at the Richard Ernst Invitation on October 9 and the Southern Northern Atlantic Forensics Union #1 Tournament on October 10. Competing virtually, the team took home first place Combined Debate and Speech School, second in Speech only and 10 first place awards, for a total of 30 awards.

Individual highlights from this weekend include seniors Feazel and Dana Bell receiving first place Overall Speaker. Feazel's win on Saturday included a first place in Dramatic Duo with teammate, Bell, a first place in After Dinner Speaking, and a second place in Program Interpretation. On Sunday, Bell received the Overall Speaker award for high placements in all her events.

Additional highlights include Shaikh's win in Informative, Bell's win in Communication Analysis and Keegan's second in Extemporaneous Speaking on Saturday. The winning continued on Sunday, with sophomore Meg Gawron winning Communication Analysis and junior Dan O'Connor earning first in Informative Speaking and second in Extemporaneous. O'Connor also was named third place overall speaker on Sunday.

"After last year of virtual and asynchronous competition, our team is prepared and remains committed to excellence in speech and advocacy," said Catherine Zizik, M.F.A., associate professor of communication and founding director of forensics. "The accolades at these first few tournaments demonstrate this commitment."

With a strong start to the season, the Brownson Speech and Debate team have qualified in 12 events for American Forensics Association and National Forensics Association national competitions in April.

Known for its tradition of rhetorical excellence, stemming back over 85 years, the Brownson Forensics Speech and Debate team is coached by Sam Ohrenberger-Hopkins, M.A., lecturer of communication. To learn more about the team, click here.

Categories: Arts and Culture