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  1. UNO
  2. News
  3. 2016
  4. 04
  5. MavForensics Finishes Fifth in Nation

MavForensics Finishes Fifth in Nation

  • contact: Sam Petto - University Communications
  • phone: 402.554.2704
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
  • search keywords:
  • mavforensics
  • forensics
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From left to right, top row to bottom row: Top Row: Coach Natalie Schneider-Brooks, Sophomore Dominic Hernandez, Freshman Ameres Groves, Freshman Allegra Hardin, Coach Cole Evans, Coach Trae Graham, Coach Ryan Syrek; Second Row: Coach Cameron Logsdon, Freshman Abby Hoffman, Freshman Cesar Ariel Magana-Linare, Freshman Abbie Perry, Junior Julia Quigley, Coach QueenTara Pimentel; Third Row: Sophomore T'eyrr Bynum, Senior Catie Zaleski, Sophomore Dylan Morris, Coach Abbie Syrek, Coach Karlee Currin; Fourth Row: Freshman Whitney Hansen, Freshman Sarah Maul, Freshman Emilee Sloan, Junior Abbie Herbert

GAINESVILLE, FL. – For the fourth time in the last six years, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) MavForensics team has capped off their season with a top five finish on the national level.

The team is taking home the fifth place trophy in the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET), which wrapped up Monday, April 4 in Gainesville, Florida.

Three other teams from Nebraska finished in the top 20, with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln placing 9th, Hastings College placing 15th and Doane College placing 16th. That marks the most schools in the top 20 from any state in the nation.

“It was a staggering, humbling year for us and a sign of bright things to come with such a young, talented squad,” MavForensics Assistant Coach Ryan Syrek said.

The team, which also won the state championship, consists of 11 underclassmen, two juniors and just one senior.

The team was led by senior Catie Zaleski, who finished ranked the sixth overall speaker in the entire nation. Catie and duo partner, Freshman Abby Hoffman, placed third overall at the tournament in Duo Interpretation. Catie also placed third in Dramatic Interpretation, with junior Abbie Herbert taking home second in the same event and placing in quarterfinals in After Dinner Speaking. Catie also advanced her Program of Oral Interpretation to semifinals (top 12 in the nation) and her Poetry Interpretation to quarterfinals (top 24 in the nation). Abby took her Prose Interpretation to semifinals and her Dramatic Interpretation to quarterfinals. Sophomore Dominic Hernandez made semifinals in both Prose Interpretation and Program of Oral Interpretation and quarterfinals in Poetry Interpretation. Sophomore T’eyrr Bynum made quarterfinals in both Dramatic Interpretation and Poetry Interpretation. Freshman Ameres Groves made quarterfinals in Program of Oral Interpretation.

In addition to the competitive success, Catie also became only the fourth “All-American” in MavForensics’ history. All-Americans are awarded based on three criteria: Competitive success, academic excellence, and service to the community. The selection is made by a national committee, who found Catie’s application among the best in the nation, awarding her a slot on the coveted team. Even the coaches were recognized, with Assistant Director of Forensics Cameron Logsdon winning the “Outstanding New Coach Award,” presented to a recipient for excellence in their first five years of coaching. Director of Forensics Abbie Syrek previously won the same award back in 2011. Only two schools in the country have had two coaches who received this prestigious award, Kansas State University and now, UNO.

All told, it was one of the most successful years in the program’s 10-year tenure under Syrek. Complete results are detailed below:

Quarterfinalists

  • Abby Hoffman – Dramatic Interpretation
  • Ameres Groves – Program of Oral Interpretation
  • Dominic Hernandez – Poetry Interpretation
  • T’eyrr Bynum – Poetry Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation
  • Abbie Herbert – After Dinner Speaking
  • Catie Zaleski – Poetry Interpretation

Semifinalists

  • Abby Hoffman – Prose Interpretation
  • Dominic Hernandez – Program of Oral Interpretation, Prose Interpretation
  • Catie Zaleski – Program of Oral Interpretation

Finalists

  • Abbie Herbert – National Runner-Up in Dramatic Interpretation
  • Catie Zaleski – 3rd Place in Dramatic Interpretation
  • Catie Zaleski/Abby Hoffman – 3rd place in Duo Interpretation

Overall Awards

  • Catie Zaleski – 6th overall speaker, All-American
  • Team – 5th place in the nation
  • Cameron Logsdon – Outstanding New Coach of the Year

For media requests, please contact:

Sam Petto, UNO Media Relations Coordinator
unonews@unomaha.edu
402.554.2704

or

Charley Reed, UNO Associate Director of Media Relations
unonews@unomaha.edu
402.554.2129

Related Links

MavForensics are Back-to-Back State Champs
Learn More about MavForensics
Support MavForensics Students

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