The WKU Forensics Team recently returned from the Pi Kappa Delta forensics tournament at Westchester University in Pennsylvania. 

The competition was the most comprehensive tournament, and out of 63 schools, WKU Forensics won the most overall across the tournament. 

The tournament ran from Tuesday, March 14 to Sunday, March 19, with the team returning late at night on Sunday. 

“The coaches that work for WKU are unquestionably […] the greatest coaching staff that’s ever been assembled for anything,” Ganer Newman, director of forensics, said. “Many of the coaches that have been working here have been here for nearly ten years, sometimes more than that, so they are very dedicated and skilled coaches.” 

Newman also emphasized the students’ hard-working and compassionate nature amongst each other and participation in newer events, which presented a new challenge. 

“In addition to that, this is a really special group of students,” Newman said. “For some of these students, they were taking on new events and new categories that they normally don’t participate in over the course of the year. Everyone had such an upbeat and positive attitude; everyone was helping each other along.” 

At the competition, there were several categories that the students participated in, ranging from categories they were well aware of and newer ones, such as Spanish Language Interpretation, which is delivered entirely in Spanish. 

“This is the best we’ve ever done at nationals,” Newman said. “I think it’s just a lot of dedication from the students, and excellent coaching from the coaches.” 

The Forensics team will have a final “Night Before Nationals” showcase on April 6 at 7 p.m. in the FAC Recital Hall. Anyone interested in seeing the national championship team in action can join them for this showcase.

Reporter Damon Stone can be reached at [email protected].