SIC speaks up for big win.

The Southeastern Illinois College Forensic Falcons started the new semester with a bang, taking first place at the Butler University Bulldog Battle speech tournament in Indianapolis last weekend against major university competitors.

Southeastern captured the team championship with 202.5 points, besting second place Ball State University who had 173.5 points, and third place Illinois State University with 106 points. Other teams in attendance included McKendree University, Eastern Michigan University, Ohio University, and Marian University. Southeastern was the only community college in attendance.

"This team is dedicated to excellence," said Dr. Tyler Billman, coach. "The team met over their winter break in order to prepare for this tournament. It's always a risk to travel to a tournament in the first week of a new semester, but this team showed that they can handle the challenge."

The team is also coached by Paul Cummins and Jenny Billman.

The Bulldog Battle marks another step toward the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in Costa Mesa, California in April.

Individual results from the tournament are as follows:

Preston Boone from Harrisburg who took tournament champion in program oral interpretation, second place in poetry interpretation, and second place in duo interpretation with partner Gabe Motsinger.

Shay Wood of Shawneetown winning tournament champion in dramatic interpretation and tournament champion in novice impromptu

Carrice McDaniel from Harrisburg taking fourth overall speaker, second place in communication analysis, fourth place in persuasive speaking, and sixth place in after dinner speaking

Cassi Watkins from Harrisburg placing tournament champion in informative speaking, sixth place in extemporaneous speaking, and sixth place overall speaker

Adam Wasson of Herod took third place in duo interpretation with partner Caleb Abbott and fifth place in dramatic interpretation

Alli Haley from Carmi placing fourth in dramatic interpretation and fourth place in duo interpretation with partner Zeb Sanderson.

Cassidy Maynard of Harrisburg took third place in communication analysis

Gabe Motsinger of Harrisburg placed second in duo interpretation (with partner Preston Boone)

Haley Rushing of Marion taking second place in novice prose