From left to right are team members Diane Dawley, Josh Rocha, Katie Giglia, Greg Sauline, Austin Temple and Greg Bennett with their coach, Mark Rittenour.
The members of The University of Akron Speech Team are savoring an important victory, after placing sixth in the nation in the President's Sweepstakes Division I at the 40th annual National Forensic Association National Speech and Debate Championships, held April 14-18 at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill.
Nearly 90 teams from around the country qualified at state and regional levels for the national competition. They were divided among three divisions by the number of qualified slots entered at the tournament. UA’s 23national-qualifying slots placed the team into the President's Sweepstakes Division I, the highest of the President's divisions.
Participating students were Gregory Bennett of Lakewood, Diane Dawley of Huntington, W.Va., Katie Giglia of Berea, Josh Rocha of Wooster, Greg Sauline of McDonald and Austin Temple of Amsterdam.
Giglia, a School of Communication major, has distinguished herself repeatedly over the years she has been on the UA team, notes Mark Rittenour, a faculty member in the UA School of Communication who coaches the team.
“Katie has been revered nationally for her beautiful performances of literature and outstanding delivery and research of public address events,” says Rittenour. “She is a 12-time Ohio Forensic Association state finalist, a two-time state champion, as well as NFA and AFA-NIET national quarterfinalist, semifinalist and finalist.”
But this was very much a team win.
“This sixth place national finish is the culmination of seven months of travel and competition — we have attended 20 national-qualifying tournaments and hosted two tournaments on our campus,” says Rittenour. “Through our students’ talent, dedication and hard work, we continue to solidify our national reputation for excellence in communication at The University of Akron.”
Here are the tournament events for each team member:
Gregory Bennett (second year on team): Prose Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Informative Speaking, Duo Interpretation with Katie Giglia and Duo Interpretation with Josh Rocha.
Diane Dawley (second year on team): Rhetorical Criticism, Informative Speaking and Impromptu Speaking.
Katie Giglia (fourth year on team): Prose Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, Persuasive Speaking, Duo Interpretation with Gregory Bennett and Duo Interpretation with Austin Temple.
Josh Rocha (third year on team): Prose Interpretation, DramaticInterpretation, Duo Interpretation with Gregory Bennett and Duo Interpretation with Austin Temple.
Gregory Sauline (first year on team): Prose Interpretation and Poetry Interpretation.
Austin Temple (third year on team): Prose Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, Informative Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Duo Interpretation with Katie Giglia and Duo Interpretation with Josh Rocha.