The Speech and Debate Team competed in the National Forensics Association Tournament last week at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Overall, it placed fifth in the Lincoln Douglas Debate team sweepstakes and fifth in the President’s II Division for individual events.

The team has always focused on teamwork. Each member has had the opportunity to become familiar with each other personally.

“When you spend such a large amount of time with a small group of people, this sense of familiarity develops and you become more of a family,” said Chris Fowler, Arts & Sciences senior and team member.

“While the students compete individually, this is a team activity,” said Laura Keimig, professor and assistant director of forensics. “Without having team support, the individuals who achieved a high level of success at the national tournament would not be able to do so.”

As far as individual awards, Fowler made it as a quarterfinalist in dramatic duo, interpretation and dramatic interpretation. He was also named the national champion in prose interpretation, the first Creighton competitor to win an individual national champion award since 2003.

“After I found out I’d won prose, I came back to my seat, and I was one of the few members of my team not crying,” he said. He said he owes his success to his coaches, Keimig and head coach Dr. Marty Birkholt.

Several other members placed in the competition. Arts & Sciences sophomore Nick Tanner was sixth speaker and octofinalist in Lincoln Douglas. Arts & Sciences freshman Westin Miller claimed the 10th speaker in Lincoln Douglas, and was an octofinalist as well. Arts & Sciences sophomore Katie Porter was also a quarterfinalist in dramatic duo with Fowler.

“We are a team that will only build momentum into next year’s season,” Fowler said.