Comedic speech duo headed to Wisconsin
October 13, 2005
By Lesa Beals
KOKOMO, Ind.—The Indiana University Kokomo Speech team did it again. Eight team members competed in their first tournament of the fall 2005 term, The Dominata at IUPUI on October 8. Everyone on the IU Kokomo team took an event. Two members of the team came home with a spot to compete at the National Forensic Association Championship Tournament at the University of Wisconsin on April 14–17, 2006.
Chad Andrews and Joshua Sommers earned fourth place and the right to perform with their duo piece, “Your Mother's Butt,” in the national competition. Andrews called the piece “a humorous, slightly serious discussion between a man and his psychiatrist.”
Andrews is a sophomore English major from Sharpsville; Sommers lives in Kokomo and is a freshman communication arts major. This is Andrews' second semester with the team, and Sommers' first. Asked about competing in his first collegiate event, Sommers said, “It was a little befuddling at first, but then I began to feel more comfortable.”
Coach Jaime Howell discussed the impact of the first competition of the semester for the team. “We came home with a greater sense of camaraderie and a better understanding of what we need to do as a team to be successful,” Howell said. “It motivated everyone to work hard and really polish our entries.”
IUPUI hosted 13 universities at the one-day event. Western Kentucky, IU Bloomington, IUPUI, Ball State, Butler, University of Indianapolis, and Illinois State were just of few of the tough competitors.
The IU Kokomo team's next competition will be October 20–21 at Ball State. Howell anticipates doubling the team's entries and possibly bringing home a sweepstakes award. That means that the team will have placed well in enough events as to “sweep” the entire competition.
Those interested in observing speech team members in action but unable to attend a competition can stop by and encourage them during their weekly practice. The team meets Fridays at 1 p.m. in Room 150 of the Main Building.
If you are interested in supporting or trying out for the team, contact Coach Howell at jlhowell@iuk.edu or (765) 455-9558.
