EMU forensics team wins Michigan Interscholastic Speech League competition

Eastern Michigan University's forensics team took first place in 12 of 14 events and won the Director's Trophy for Quality at the Michigan Interscholastic Speech League State Championships March 17-18.

"I can't remember when we've won almost 100 percent of the events we entered," said Ray Quiel, who has been involved with EMU forensics since 1973 and is the current director of the team. The team entered 13 events and won 12.

FORENSICS CHAMPS: Junior Kyle Zrenchik, sophomore Richard Brophy, poetry interpretation; junior Emily Winderman,rhetorical criticism; junior Chris Griesinger, prose interpretation, impromptu, after dinner speaking, oratory and the triathalon; and sophomore Marisa Dluge, dramatic interpretation; display their hardware from the Michigan Interscholastic Speech League State Championships that took place earlier this month. Photo by Allen Robert Vietkze

The victory is the fourth consecutive state title for the team, who will head to the national competition April 7 in Wisconsin. EMU finished fifth at nationals last year.

The EMU Forensic Team will have a showcase performance April 5 at Sponberg Theatre. The showcase is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. For additional information, call 487-0320.

Chris Griesinger, a junior from Middletown, Ohio, took first place in five categories to lead the team. Griesinger won prose interpretation, impromptu, after dinner speaking, oratory and the triathlon.

"He (Griesinger) is the first person from EMU to ever win four categories," Quiel said.

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