On Feb. 16-18, the SMSU Forensic Team traveled to St. Cloud to compete in the 2018 Minnesota State Tournament. The Mustangs started strong and continued their impressive annual run at State competition.

The team was led by Junior Kristen Barnhardt, After Dinner Speaking State Champion. By giving her speech about normalizing disability in everyday life, Kristen brought the first State Championship to SMSU since 2014 for Forensics.

Junior Crystal Enga placed sixth in Informative Speaking, the fourth straight year SMSU has had a State Finalist in Informative Speaking. With a narrower focus on disabilities, Crystal spoke about the history of Autism and how its understanding can help with modern mindsets and policies about mental disability.

Laura Heubert and Katelyn Toner were also there to represent SMSU, which has been chosen to host the 2019 State Tournament as a part of the 50th Anniversary celebration.

Director of Forensics Professor Ben Walker was then elected by coaches from around all of Minnesota to be the next Executive Secretary of the Minnesota Collegiate Forensic Association.

For yet another year SMSU has been made proud by its outstanding Forensics Team, as it once again shines at the State competition. Questions about SMSU Forensics can be answered at [email protected].