Biola University’s Forensics team recently competed in the California Double Up tournament, and won second place in sweepstakes in the four-year schools category. The team, which consisted of fifteen competitors and is half the size of many competing school’s teams, also took third place in debate sweepstakes points, and is gaining a reputation for being a credible competitor.

“I am very proud that our students represented Christ with excellence, but am more proud that we raise the credibility of who we are and in whom we believe,” said director of forensics Daniel Elliott.

Biola’s team competed and proved themselves successful over schools such as Azusa Pacific University, California State University in Fullerton, San Diego State University and Point Loma University.

“It illustrates academically why Biola is making the right kind of impact. Each component is essential to gaining and maintaining a high credibility,” said Elliott.

There were many other successes as well. Biola had quarter finalists Michael Sonson and Jordan Keiter in the Novice Parliamentary Debate. In individual events, Courtney Gammariello earned second place in Open After Dinner Speech, Marilla DiNatle won first in Novice Poetry, and Samantha Stahl earned third place in Novice Programed Oral Interpretation.

The California Double Up Tournament was hosted by Azusa Pacific University, Concordia University and Irvine Valley College in mid-October.  

The Biola Forensics Team is part of the Communication Studies program, and has won upwards of 5,000 awards since the team was started in 1955. The team also has several national champions listed on the American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament.

Written by Bethany Wilson, Media Relations Intern. For more information, contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, at 562.777.4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.