Sommers, Andrews earn more Speech honors
February 2, 2006
By Lesa Beals
KOKOMO, Ind.—The Indiana University Kokomo Speech and Debate Team kicked off the new year with continued success. On January 21, the team traveled to Butler University to compete. Joshua Sommers of Kokomo, a freshman in communication arts, and Chad Andrews of Sharpsville, a sophomore in English, brought back awards.
Andrews placed second in the Comedic Duo category, and sixth in Varsity Impromptu. “With such talented competition, I was excited to place,” remarked Andrews.
Spring semester marks the beginning of Andrews’ second year with the team. “Chad is leading the team by example, and I’m very proud of him,” stated Coach Jaime Howell. Howell has coached the team since its revival in 2004. “I’m thrilled to have team members committed to consistently improving themselves.”
Sommers, in his second semester with the team, earned four awards at Butler. Sommers took a fourth place award in Dramatic Interpretation, sixth in Novice Impromptu, second in Comedic Duo, and fourth in the overall individual sweepstakes. When asked to what he credits his success, Sommers replied, “Hard work and a great coach.”
The team plans to participate in four competitions before the National Forensic Association Championship Tournament April 14–17 at the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Three team members have qualified to compete at the nationals, and more could make the cut at those intervening meets:
February 11–12, University of Notre Dame in South Bend
February 17–18, Harper College in Palatine, Ill.
February 24–25, State Tournament at IUPUI in Indianapolis
March 10–12, Berry College in Rome, Ga.
“It would be awesome to qualify the entire team to compete at Nationals,” stated Howell.
For more information on the team and their upcoming competitions, contact Coach Howell at jlhowell@iuk.edu or (765) 455-9558.
