Concordia Nebraska concludes 2024-2025 speech and debate season with appearance at American Forensics Association – National Speech Tournament in North Carolina

Photo: all competitors with the UNCC mascot statue, Norm. (Back: Jacy Jackson, Megan Lange, Madelyn Graham, Duncan Carrasco, Casey Perlinger-Jett. Front: Brynn Holtmeier, Marlie Mundt, Esther Molina, Daisy Calloway, Eden Lehr, Alyvia Hardy, Alayna Laughridge)

The Concordia University, Nebraska speech and debate team participated in the AFA-NST (American Forensics Association – National Speech Tournament) at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte campus April 4-7, 2025. This intense, three-day competition features schools from across the United States who compete division free.  

“We are happy to have represented Concordia Nebraska and District IV at the tournament!” said Head Speech and Debate Coach Malia Frerking. “The team ended up ranking 30th overall. Senior Madelyn Graham was a District IV nominee to be a part of the AFA All-American team, which prioritizes volunteer work and academics alongside competitive success. She has been an absolute joy to have on the team. She is a natural leader, humble, exemplifies everything that we represent as an institution and embodies our team’s values. Senior Megan Lange has always been a core part of developing our team culture. She has one semester of classes yet, but she will be helping the team out when she is not gone for student teaching and then hopefully as a future graduate assistant. Our seniors this year were the heart of the team, and we are sad to see them go. Our seniors especially were rocks for their teammates and gave everything to their performances. They did so well, and I am excited for their futures as they move on from forensics, and from Concordia University, Nebraska.” 

The tournament went well, and I feel that the students learned a lot. Everyone at AFA is good at what they do, so it is a learning experience that gets our students excited to learn more and do more the next year.

This was the team’s first AFA-NST event with Frerking as head coach.  

“The tournament went well, and I feel that the students learned a lot. Everyone at AFA is good at what they do, so it is a learning experience that gets our students excited to learn more and do more the next year,” said Frerking.  

This year’s team was one of the youngest groups the university has taken to the AFA-NST, with four of 12 students being freshman. For eight of the 12, this was their first-ever AFA event.  

“For all of our returners, I am proud of their performance. I am excited to see how this experience changes how the students think about speech and what is possible,” added Frerking. “Our students are consistently supportive of one another, and the tournament was not only a learning experience, but brought these students closer together. I learned a lot about the events that I am less comfortable with, and I hope that that can carry over into competitive improvements for next year. Now, we start to ideate pieces and processes for next year that will hopefully result in success! As we move on to the next year, I thank God for everything that we have been able to do, see and accomplish. I can’t wait to see what the 2025-2026 season holds.” 

Angelina Stinson in concluding her final semester as a forensics graduate assistant at the university. 

“I am so incredibly proud of what the team has become. In personal experience, change is inherently scary. While cultures continue to shift and the activity fluctuates, our students have strived to grow,” she said.  

For the graduating seniors, this year’s event was bittersweet. 

“AFA is an incredible experience,” said Lange. “Not only are we experiencing speech at the highest level, but we also get to grow as a team as we support each other in our rounds and celebrate each other’s successes.” 

Graham said her experience with the speech team at Concordia Nebraska has been life changing. 

“AFA-NST is the most prestigious speech competition in the nation. It is an accumulation of the largest and most competitive college forensics teams, all showing up and giving their best. Every year, Concordia Nebraska causes a ripple through the tournament,” said Graham. “Sometimes it is shown through advanced to quarterfinals and semifinals, other times it is through simply sharing and important message with rooms full of people from all over the country. Concordia’s speech team has a reputation for being one the kindest and most supportive teams, and we certainly showed that to everyone at AFA. I am so thankful for my team and for everyone in the speech community. Being on the Concordia speech and debate team has truly changed my life for the better. Everyone should attend a collegiate speech tournament to see how intelligent and passionate our generation is. I am forever grateful for the ability to speak on topics that are important and should be heard on an elevated platform. Speech rocks.” 

Concordia University, Nebraska’s speech and debate program is committed to providing a Christ-centered, team-centric and supportive environment where students use competitive public speaking as a context for forming lasting friendships, building confidence and more.