Miami University

MIAMI'S SPEECH TEAM WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

02/28/1997

OXFORD, Ohio -- Miami University's forensics team has won the Ohio

state championship for the third consecutive year.

The Ohio Forensics Association combines the results of the state novice

tournament (for first year competitors) with the results of the state varsity

tournament to determine the state champions.

The top schools and the points they received are Miami, 533; Cedarville

College, 447; Ohio State University, 399; Ohio University, 219; and Bowling

Green State University, 191.

Several Miami students won individual honors in the varsity tournament.

Mike Thompson, 3630 Trails End Drive, Medina 44256, won first place in

impromptu speaking, first in extemporaneous speaking, fourth in informative

speaking and sixth in persuasive speaking.

Andy Cleary, 1031 Douglas Drive, Wooster 44691, won first place in rhetorical

criticism, second in impromptu speaking and third in extemporaneous speaking.

Amanda Hickman, 1916 Washington, Xenia 45385, won first place in persuasive

speaking and third in duo interpretation.

Phil Ruth, 2842 Mt. Olive Agosta, New Bloomington 43341, won third place in

both prose interpretation and duo interpretation.

Chris Tenaglia, 1568 Burchwood Drive, Fairborn 45324, won fifth place in

rhetorical criticism and sixth in informative speaking.

Dan Hungerman, 1618 Moreview Drive, Copley 44321, won third place in religious

informative speaking.

Laura Batt, 511 N. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, Ill. 60068, won second place in

religious informative speaking.

"This is an incredible achievement for these students and Miami University,"

Jeff Joiner, team coach, said. "The students have been preparing for this

tournament since August and their hard work has certainly paid off."

The speech team is made up of students from different majors. Miami's team

consistently ranks as one of the best in the United States, and will spend

spring break in London defending its title as 1996 International Champions.