Alva Review-Courier -

The South Barber Forensics team has had a strong start to their season, according to their coach Meagan Henry. So far, they've competed at Pratt, Medicine Lodge, Kiowa County, and Douglass. Overall, they brought home the first place plaque at Kiowa County, and placed third at Douglass.

To qualify for a state competition, students usually have to place first or second overall at an invitational meet, Henry explained. However she said qualifying standards are based on entry numbers, so at bigger tournaments, more students qualify.

There are currently ten events qualified for the State Championship meet: Autumn Drake & Arrington Allen in Duet, Camron Dorsey & Cole Howland in Duet, Lynzee Wilbur, Autumn Drake, and Reagan Grieve in Poetry, Teddie Hooker in Prose, Tanith Erikson and Danielle MaxKinney in Informative Speaking, Tanith Erikson in Extemporaneous Speaking, Rose Thompson in Original Oration.

The team picks back up after spring break, with competitions at Cheney, St. John, Wellington, League at Norwich, and South Central. Coaches Meagan Henry and Kevin Cox hope to have a full team of sixteen entries qualified for the State Championship tournament held in Hutchinson on Saturday, May 6. State Festival qualifiers will head to Salina on the same day where they will perform for I, II, or III ratings.