Carroll College - Helena, MT

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Forensics

The current Carroll College Forensics team has won 18 consecutive regional titles and places within the top 20 of the nation consistently.

Carroll College offers interested students one of the finest forensics programs in the Northwest, competing against colleges and universities of all sizes. Carroll's Forensics Team has won more Northwest Regional Championships than any other team in the region, with students regularly qualifying for national competition. Carroll offers forensics scholarships to promising students in debate, drama, and speech.

History

The Carroll College forensics team was started in the 1940s and has witnessed many changes in the lives of students, as well as the college. Competing in debate, platform speaking, and interpretation events, the members of the Carroll College Talking Saints have consistently excelled in tournaments across the country. More importantly, participation on the team provides an opportunity to build career goals, develop interpersonal skills, and build relationships that will last a lifetime. More importantly, participation on the team provides an opportunity to build career goals, develop interpersonal skills, and build relationships that will last a lifetime.

The Carroll College Forensics team competes in the Northwest Region, which is composed of the schools of Montana, Idaho, Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. During the course of the year, members of the team attend an average of ten tournaments, competing not only within the region, but on the national level as well.

The Carroll College team, although directed towards success, has puts many values above winning. The team members must maintain high academic standards to compete for the squad, and grades are always more important than travel. The Forensics team itself, although competitive, has developed a family orientation, allowing the team to become close to one another in times of trouble.

The program is coached by Professor Brent Northup, who also heads the Communication Department at Carroll.

Congratulations Talking Saints!

Talking Saints Win 18th Consecutive Regional Championship

January 29, 2008

Neither rain, nor snow nor avalanche-covered roads could stop the Carroll College Talking Saints forensics team from marching to their 18th-consecutive regional forensics championship last weekend at Western Washington University.

On January 25-27, the Saints defeated 20 Northwest colleges and universities, sweeping to victory at the Western Washington University tournament and clinching the regional title. The team extended its regional tournament winning streak to 18 years, having lost no major regional tournament since October 1990.

Boise State University, coached by Carroll Talking Saints alum Manda Hicks, was also honored with a year-end sweepstakes award.

"It was a wonderful performance in which everyone contributed," said coach Brent Northup. Carroll freshman Lada Bordewick of Three Forks, Mont., won "rookie of the year" and received the Orv Iverson eaglehead trophy. Four other Carroll speakers were in contention for that rookie honor: Aidai Kozubekova of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Kristina Buchan of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Amy McNulty of Powell, Wyo., and Alyssa Morren of Conrad, Mont.

Eric Peatross of Utah State was named the most valuable speaker of the year, receiving the Coaches' Commemorative trophy. Three Carroll students were in contention for that award: Dick Peel of Helena, Kirby Brooke of Bozeman and Kevin Olp of Billings.

At the tournament Carroll finished 70 points ahead of the trio of Boise State, Utah State and Lewis & Clark College.

"It was a wonderful performance in which everyone contributed," said coach Brent Northup. "The success of the newcomers is especially pleasing since they've worked so hard this year."

The team's return home was delayed by a Lookout Pass avalanche that forced the team to stay overnight in Spokane while awaiting the reopening of the road. "The hotel prepared an early breakfast for the team and went out of their way to lower stress," said Northup. "Everybody was worried about missing classes, but as one Carroll professor said, an avalanche seemed like a better excuse than 'the dog ate my homework.'"

Read More About the Talking Saints