MCC forensics team takes 2nd in state

Submitted by Connar Klock. Mason County Central senior.

KALAMAZOO — The Mason County Central High School forensics team recently placed second place in the state tournament held at Western Michigan University. The team scored 407 points and competed against 25 teams; it was the highest the team had ever scored at a state tournament.

Of the 23 events competing from MCC at the two-day tournament, 15 qualified for the semi-final round and 10 qualified for the final rounds.

Led by Coach Tom Richert, the team took an interesting angle this year by changing its tournament schedule, challenging some of the largest teams in the state including the 22-time class A state champion team from Portage Northern High School.

Richert also stretched the team’s ability by facing it off with class A teams from Holland High School, Grand Rapids Christian High School and Portage Central High School.

Making it to the semi-final round were Sarah Wurtz, Jessica Nehm, Emma Chasse, Giulia Marselli, and Silja Bachmann.  To the final round, Corinne Davis (5th Storytelling), Wynn Petersen (5th Extemp), Hana Smith (4th Broadcasting), Kaci Clayton (4th Prose), Kaitlin Dwyer (3rd Sales), Ashleigh McCabe (3rd Informative), Connar Klock (3rd Dramatic), and leading the charge with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th State Championships MCC has ever had: Sophomore Jason Mickevich (Extemp), junior Bethany Anderson and sophomore Isaac Messeder (Duo), and Senior Savanna McCabe (Storytelling).  Also competing were seniors Morgan Muyskens, Kari Clark, Antreas Fintikis, Autumn Richardson, Inken Diederzen, Trever Skinner; juniors Margaret Alway, Abbie Berringer, Katelyn Allen, Sophomores Manny Fintikis, Carleigh Davis, and freshman Allie Johnson, Harmony Jensen.

“This has been the most dynamic year we’ve ever had,” Richert said.  “I’m proud of their accomplishments across the state of Michigan; they’ve proved their excellence and their work ethic.”

The MCC team is the highest placing public school in B, C, and D for the third consecutive year.