Four-peatForensicschamps!

By Sarah Nigbor

RIVER FALLS – On April 2, the River Falls High School Forensics team became the four-peat Division II State Champions at the inperson tournament with 275 points, the most in the state.

The community welcomed the team back on April 3 from Eau Claire with a chilly yet festive firetruck ride, starting at St. Croix Lanes, pausing at Veterans Park and ending at the high school.

Then on April 9, the team added to its accolades with a third-place team finish in the Wisconsin Forensics Coaches Association’s Virtual State Tournament.

Forensics Advisor and RFHS English teacher Kim Miller said she and her team are proud of the students for participating in both the inperson and virtual tournaments. The tournaments had different teams, students and categories entered for each, but some similarities among students who performed in both, Miller said.

“Rebuilding and finding our groove as a team in-person this year was incredibly rewarding an fun,” Miller said. “We had amazing captain leadership with our upperclassmen and freshmen and sophomores who are already finding their skills and succeeding tremendously.”

At the in-person tournament, the team achieved the highest overall sweepstakes points. Though they are in Division 2 (divisions are decided by enrollment numbers of the school), RFHS placed the highest at the in-person tournament.

“That’s such a huge accomplishment!” Millers said. “More than the trophies and successes this season, I am more impressed with my students’ growth and transfer of communication skills. I am seeing and hearing them use their voices to stand up for themselves and others when faced with challenges. To see these skills in real life and not in a competitive round is inspiring.”

Miller credits her husband and co-coach Alex Miller, as well as new assistant coach and alumna Kaye Anderson as pillars of the team.

“Their support and drive to make this team and these students the best they can be has meant everything,” Miller said.

April 2 results

The in-person April 2 individual placewinners included:

Group Interpretation:

Kaelyn and Brooklyn Tape, state champions; Brenna Frank and Megan Odegard, second place OIL: Grace Nekola, second place; Olivia Bartkey, fourth place Prose: Jack Stang, state champion; Dane Dixen, third place Poetry: Ellea Maloney, second place; Anika Hovland, third place Impromptu: Eric Luebke, fifth place

Duo: Abby Madsen and Nick Graff, fourth place

Solo Hum: Callen Schallberg, second place

Storytelling: Johan Harworth, third place April 9 results

On Saturday, April 9, students had the opportunity to perform in a virtual state tournament as well. Placewinners were: Duo: Brenna Frank and Megan Odegard, second place Farrago: Chloe Grenzow, sixth place

Group interp: Grace Nekola and Olivia Bartkey, fourth place Group interp: Stang and Mangelsen, third place

Group interp: Kaelyn and Brooklyn Tape, virtual state champions Group interp: Green, Graetz, Pemble, Brummel, second place Impromptu: Eric Luebke, fourth place

Poetry: Elleandra Maloney, virtual state champion

Prose: Dane Dixen, second

place

Solo Humorous: Nick Graff, third place

Solo Humorous: Emily Odegard, second place

Storytelling: Johan Harworth, third place Team standing: Third place in Division I

The River Falls High School Forensics team celebrated its fourth consecutive Division II State Tournament win with a chilly firetruck ride on April 3 through downtown River Falls.

Photo courtesy of RFHS Forensics

The River Falls High School Forensics team brought home its fourth Division II Wisconsin Forensics Coaches Association State Tournament trophy April 2. They also placed third in the virtual state tournament a week later. Photo courtesy of RFHS Forensics