Forensic Falcons host events at Pioneer Trails

The Southeastern Illinois College Forensic Falcons co-hosted the 41st-annual Pioneer Trails Open Tournament with Casper College of Wyoming on Feb. 11.

The event is one of the few virtual tournaments SIC competes in and featured competitors from colleges and universities from Illinois, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Virginia, Alabama and California. Since hosting, SIC was unable to receive a team award, but that didn't stop SIC's team from taking top honors in several individual events. Additionally, two of SIC's competitive actors, Bailey Warner (Marion) and Collin Garnett (Marion), participated in Dramatic Interpretation at the competition.

First-year competitor Neva Wasson earned two individual championships after advancing all four of her events to final rounds, and was the top speaker at the tournament. Sophomore Trey Murphy was the fourth overall speaker, and was named champion in Informative Speaking.

"I think the tournament went incredibly well!" said Murphy. "The tournament ran smoothly and our peers did an excellent job!"

Coach Rachel Parish agrees. She explains, "This weekend was definitely a team effort, and has me very excited to see them building their events even further this spring towards nationals."

Each competition builds to the 2023 Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in Bethesda, Maryland. The team is coached by Jenny Billman, Paul Cummins and Rachel Parish.