Manhattan High’s Forensics team competed in the Wichita East Forensics Invitational Tournament, with two students earning State qualifications.

Senior KJ Jones placed first in Original Oratory, earning a qualification for State and one of two of the necessary bids to the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions.

“It was pretty weird because [this is] like my fourth year in forensics and it’s also my first year where you record yourself and send a video,” Jones said.

Junior Sam DeLong placed first in International Extemporaneous Speaking, earning one of two of the necessary bids to the NIETOC and a qualification for State.

“It was a good cap to my first tournament of the season and has motivated me to get my next bid in the next weekend or the weekend after that,” DeLong said.

Sophomore Annabelle Jung participated in the Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate. Junior Tristan Metivier participated in Impromptu Speaking. Junior Abdullah Rasheed participated in Lincoln Douglas Debate. Junior Megan Long participated in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking.

Freshman Helinna Bontrager placed second in Novice Congress.

“My highlight is probably just getting to see how Congress works and getting to meet all different types of people from all around the state and getting to discuss bills and resolutions,” Bontrager said.

Freshman Connor Buchanan placed sixth in Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate.

“This was my first event in forensics,” Buchanan said, “but doing something different than debate was an interesting experience.”

Forensics will meet next this weekend at the Lansing Invitational.