UK Forensics Doubles Previous Best, Has First Competitor in Elimination Rounds at NFA Nationals

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 25, 2016) — The University of Kentucky Forensics team joined 85 other colleges and universities for the 2016 National Forensic Association (NFA) national tournament hosted by Ball State University.

UK placed 24th at the competition which is nearly double the team’s previous best performance of 42nd at the 2015 national tournament. Over 1,800 speeches and 100 debaters from across the nation took part in this five-day event. Each speech has to qualify to attend this tournament by placing in the final round at a regular season competition. This year, UK qualified 30 speeches which is another team best.

Senior Abel Rodriguez III advanced to the quarterfinal rounds in after dinner speaking and extemporaneous speaking. These two breaks to the elimination rounds at the National Forensic Association national tournament are the first since the team began competition in 2012.

“As one of the founding members of the team, Abel has been a part of UK Forensics from the very beginning,” said Director of Forensics Timothy Bill. “It is really fitting that he is also our first out-round participant at NFA. He has worked incredibly hard for this moment and has truly earned his place among the nation’s best.”

The University of Kentucky Forensic team also competed at the Interstate Oratorical Association national tournament held at University of Nebraska Omaha from April 28-29. Only two students are allowed to participate from each state and this is the first year that the University of Kentucky has ever qualified for this tournament.

Anyone with questions about the UK Forensics team are encouraged to contact Director of Forensics Timothy Bill at timothy.bill@uky.edu. UK Forensics is a student organization in the School of Information Science in the UK College of Communication and Information. The team regularly competes in 12 public speaking events and three forms of debate. To find out more, please visit www.ukforensics.com.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, visit uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu