National Forensic Association


The National Forensic Association is an American intercollegiate organization designed to promote excellence in individual events and debate. Founded in 1971, the NFA National Tournament is dedicated to a full range of literature interpretation, public address, limited preparation, and Lincoln-Douglas debate. The NFA sponsors the NFA National Tournament on an annual basis. The 2025 NFA National Tournament will be hosted by Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Lincoln Douglas Debate

NFA is unique in its NFA-LD Policy format. High school debate is primarily divided into individual debaters engaged in values-oriented competition or teams of debaters in rapid-paced evidence-based policy analysis. Instead of choosing one of these formats, NFA offers evidence-based policy analysis in one-on-one competition.

LD Policy Format

At the beginning of each year a topic area and corresponding resolution is voted upon and subject to the entire season's debate. Each round competitors find themselves assigned to affirm or negate the resolution. Rather than affirm general ideas or values, affirmative competitors propose a particular policy to adopt as a representation of the resolution. Negative competitors will generally attempt to either demonstrate a lack of need for that policy or argue that said policy's disadvantages outweigh its benefits.
The first affirmative and negative speeches are constructive speeches, intended to put forth the arguments which will comprise the issues in dispute. A cross-examination period of three minutes follows each of these speeches in order to clarify arguments and gain information relevant to each competitor's position. Each competitor is then given a six-minute rebuttal in which their responses and development of the arguments are finalized. At the end of the round, the affirmative is given one final three-minute speech to review why their plan ought to be passed in support of the resolution. An assigned judge will then cast a ballot to affirm or negate the resolution.

Past LD Debate Resolutions

Previous National Tournaments

List of Speech Sweepstakes Champions

YearPentathlon ChampionTeam Sweepstakes
1971Robert Reider, Ohio UniversityOhio University
1972Jim Molnar, Ohio UniversityBall State University
1973Dave Beal, Ohio UniversityEastern Michigan University
1974Bobbi Rowe, Stetson UniversityOhio University
1975Bobbi Rowe, Stetson UniversityOhio University
1976Irene Ziegler, Stetson UniversityEastern Michigan University
1977Michael Garcia, Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University
1978William Allen Young, University of Southern CaliforniaEastern Michigan University
1979George Denger, Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University
1980Jon Capecci, Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University
1981Jon Capecci, Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University
1982Theresa McElwee, Eastern Michigan UniversityBradley University
1983Mike Jones, Eastern Michigan UniversityBradley University
1984Brad Johansen, Bradley UniversityBradley University
1985John Broer, Miami UniversityBradley University
1986Greg Dolph, Bradley UniversityEastern Michigan University
1987Laura Duncan, Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University
1988Brenda Dempsey, Eastern Michigan UniversityBradley University
1989Cam Jones, Cornell UniversityBradley University
1990Stephanie Kaplan, University of Wisconsin-MadisonBradley University
1991Karon Bowers, Bradley UniversityBradley University
1992Ronnie Stewart, Bradley UniversityBradley University
1993Jason Berke, Illinois State UniversityBradley University
1994Andy Wood, Berry CollegeBradley University
1995Jason Berke, Illinois State UniversityIllinois State University
1996August Benassi, Bradley UniversityBradley University
1997Chris Grove, Illinois State UniversityBradley University
1998Grant Ward, Illinois State University
Brendan Kelly, Eastern Michigan University		Bradley University
1999Brian Davis, Arizona State UniversityIllinois State University
2000Dan Hungerman, Miami UniversityIllinois State University
2001Steve Zammit, Cornell UniversityBradley University
2002Eric Long, Bradley UniversityBradley University
2003Meredith Schnug, Miami UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2004John Coleman, Berry CollegeWestern Kentucky University
2005A.J. Moorehead, Arizona State UniversityBradley University
2006Paul Davis, Arizona State UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2007Kashif Powell, Morehouse CollegeWestern Kentucky University
2008Jessy Ohl, Kansas State UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2009Joele Denis, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2010Dan Glaser, Ohio UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2011Jacoby Cochran, Bradley UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2012Jacoby Cochran, Bradley UniversityBradley University
2013Kaybee Brown, Bradley UniversityBradley University
2014Andrew Neylon, Ball State UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2015Jerome Gregory, Bradley UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2016Farrah Bara, University of Texas at AustinWestern Kentucky University
2017Jerome Gregory, Bradley UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2018Abigail Onwunali, University of Texas at AustinWestern Kentucky University
2019Andrea Ambam, Western Kentucky UniversityBradley University
2021Derek Collins, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2022Fernando Cereceres, University of Texas at AustinWestern Kentucky University
2023Doniven Hill-Bush, Illinois State UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2024Fernando Cereceres, University of Texas at AustinWestern Kentucky University
2025Cecilia Alali, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 tournament was canceled, resulting in no sweepstakes winners. However, the NFA permitted competitors in their senior year to submit recordings of their speeches for an asynchronous competition. The top performing student in each category was ranked as the Performance of Highest Distinction. Finalists in each category were not publicly ranked but were announced as Performances of Distinction. The Pentathlon award was replaced with the Performer of Highest Distinction award, which Saeed Malami won from Lafayette College.

List of Lincoln-Douglas Debate Champions

YearNational ChampionTeam Sweepstakes
1991Kevin Minch, Wayne State University-
1992Cindy Weisenbeck, University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireOhio University
1993Robert Mattingly, Western Kentucky UniversitySuffolk University
1994Paul Higday, University of PennsylvaniaOhio State University
1995Mary Cunningham, Suffolk UniversityWestern Kentucky University
1996Robert Mattingly, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
1997Scott Smith, Ohio State UniversityColorado State University
1998Mike McDonner, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
1999Mike McDonner, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2000Sean Williams, Central Missouri StateCentral Missouri State University
2001Colleen Karpinsky, Saint Anselm CollegeMissouri Southern State University
2002Lindsay Marquardt, University of PennsylvaniaCreighton University
2003Jeremy Hollingshead, Missouri Southern State UniversityCreighton University
2004John Henderson, Creighton UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2005Nick Dudley, University of MissouriWestern Kentucky University
2006Nick Dudley, University of MissouriWestern Kentucky University
2007Mike Storey, Creighton UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2008Spencer Harris, Drury UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2009Mike Storey, Creighton UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2010Kaleb Jessee, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2011Sarah Spiker, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2012Alison Stickland, Drury UniversityTruman State University
2013Susan Taylor, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2014Spencer Orlowski, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2015Nefertiti Dukes, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2016Alex Glanzman, Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeWestern Kentucky University
2017John Sahlman & Mark Allseits, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2018Colten White, University of Nebraska–LincolnWestern Kentucky University
2019Anthony Survance, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2021Andre Swai, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
2022Alex Webb, Lewis and Clark CollegeUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln
2023Nick Wallenburg, University of Nebraska–LincolnUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln
2024Cade Blenden, Washburn UniversityWashburn University
2025Rae Fournier, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University

No team sweepstakes champion was crowned during the 2020 National Championship Tournament. However, The 2020 Performance of Highest Distinction in Lincoln-Douglas Debate was Alex Rivera from Western Kentucky University.

Members of the NFA Hall of Fame

Induction ClassEraNameCollege/University
April 20001971-1975David BealOhio University
April 20001971-1975Greg DenaroSouthern [Connecticut State University]
April 20001971-1975Jim MolnarOhio University
April 20001971-1975Judy Sturgis HillEastern Michigan University
April 20001971-1975Danny ViceEastern Michigan University
April 20001976-1980Jon CapecciEastern Michigan University
April 20001976-1980Michael GarciaEastern Michigan University
April 20001976-1980Theresa McElweeEastern Michigan University
April 20001976-1980Donald SmithSouthern Connecticut State University
April 20001976-1980Elighie WilsonBall State University
April 20001981-1985Marco BenassiBradley University
April 20001981-1985Greg DolphBradley University
April 20001981-1985Sam MarcossonBradley University
April 20001986-1990David BickfordBrown University
April 20001986-1990Sarah BraunBradley University
April 20001986-1990Cam JonesCornell University
April 20001986-1990Stephanie KaplanUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
April 20001986-1990Kim RoeEastern Michigan University
April 20001991-1995Jason BerkeIllinois State University
April 20001991-1995Karon BowersBradley University
April 20001991-1995George LaMasterBradley University
April 20001991-1995Kevin MinchWayne State University
April 20001991-1995Patrick O'ShaughnessyBradley University
April 20001996-2000August BenassiBradley University
April 20001996-2000Brian DavisArizona State University
April 20001996-2000Matt MacDonaldBradley University
April 20001996-2000Jill ValentineBradley University
April 20011976-1980William Allen YoungUniversity of Southern California
April 20011976-1980Nancy CartwrightOhio University
April 20011976-1980Mark HickmanMarshall University
April 20011986-1990Celeste Devore-MathesonIllinois State University
April 20011991-1995Mona DworzakIllinois State University
April 20011991-1995Stacy NekulaIllinois State University
April 20011996-2000Chris GroveIllinois State University
April 20011996-2000Ben LohmanBradley University
April 20021971-1975Keith SemmelMansfield State College
April 20021971-1975Paul Van DynePenn State University
April 20021976-1980Christina Collier ReynoldsBowling Green State University/Ohio University
April 20021981-1985J.G. HarringtonRutgers University
April 20021986-1990Penny Geurink-O'ConnorUniversity of Northern Iowa
April 20021986-1990Joel SchwartzbergEmerson College
April 20021991-1995Andrew BillingsIndiana University
April 20021991-1995Adam BlackWestern Kentucky University
April 20021991-1995Michael MalloySaint Joseph's University
April 20021991-1995Andy WoodSt. Petersburg College/Berry College
April 20021996-2000Brendan KellyEastern Michigan University
April 20021996-2000David LindrumBerry College
April 20021996-2000Robert PieranunziIndiana University
April 20031976-1980Kenda Creasey DeanMiami University
April 20031986-1990Liesel ReinhartUniversity of Colorado Boulder
April 20061976-1980Ray QuielEastern Michigan University
April 20061981-1985Mitchell "Bucky" FayUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
April 20061986-1990Ken KlawitterBradley University
April 20061991-1995Rita RahoiUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
April 20081981-1985Tom DoyleBradley University
April 20081996-2000Jason DavidsonBradley University
April 20081996-2000Sarah Meinen JeddBradley University
April 20091996-2000Jaime RiewertsBradley University
April 20092001-2005John ColemanBerry College
April 20092001-2005Aaron UnsethUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
April 20101976-1980Meg LangfordGeorge Mason University
April 20102001-2005Rob BarnhartOhio University
April 20102001-2005Erin Gallagher BarnhartOhio University
April 20102001-2005Bryan McCannIllinois State University
April 20111981-1985Andrew HeatonBradley University
April 20111986-1990Jeff "Shappy" SeaholtzEastern Michigan University
April 20111986-1990Tom Zeidler-AdamsonIllinois State University
April 20111996-2000Will KochIllinois State University
April 20112001-2005Shannon ManeyIllinois State University
April 20112001-2005Robb TelferIllinois State University
April 20121996-2000Justin ZaborOhio University
April 20132001-2005Matthew CollieMinnesota State University-Mankato
April 20132001-2005Eric LongBradley University
April 20141991-1995Jeff ArchibaldCornell University
April 20141996-2000Kelly AdrianiEastern Michigan University
April 20141996-2000Ryan HershbergerEastern Michigan University
April 20142001-2005Nina BrennanEastern Michigan University
April 20142001-2005Amber PriceEastern Michigan University
April 20142006-2010Robert CannonGlendale Community College
April 20161991-1995Amy DarnellMorehead State University
April 20161996-2000Richard BeselNorth Central College
April 20161996-2000John BoyerOtterbein College
April 20161996-2000Shane MechamTruman State University
April 20162001-2005A.J. MooreheadArizona State University
April 20171996-2000Jim DobsonNorthern Arizona University
April 20171996-2000Heidi SulzmanArizona State University
April 20172006-2010Angela DunkIllinois State University
April 20172006-2010Annie KincadeIllinois State University
April 20181996-2000Nelsan EllisIllinois State University
April 20182006-2010Carrie GuggenmosWestern Kentucky University
April 20191996-2000Marianne LeGrecoBradley University
April 20192011-2015Maureen BrothmanIllinois State University
April 20192011-2015Ryan CashmanIllinois State University
April 20201971-1975Simone “Skip” KincaidGlenville State College
April 20202001-2005Alison Fisher BodkinBradley University
April 20202006-2010Dillon WhiteNorthwestern University
April 20212001-2005Ben JeddBradley University
April 20212001-2005Vance PierceBradley University
April 20212001-2005Tomeka RobinsonMcNeese State University
April 20232001-2005Robert ImbodyOhio University
April 20232001-2005Paul PorterBall State University
April 20232001-2005Meredith SmithMiami University
April 20232006-2010Richard BrophyEastern Michigan University
April 20232006-2010Stan PolitNorthwestern University
April 20242011-2015Jacoby CochranBradley University
April 20242016-2020Mernine AmerisGeorge Mason University
April 20242016-2020Kevin MardirosianWayne State University