Concordia Nebraska forensics shines at 2025 National Christian College Forensics Invitational

Concordia University, Nebraska forensics participated in the National Christian College Forensics Invitational (NCCFI) in Brownwood, Texas, March 7-9, 2025. 

“The team did really well this year! We had a successful end to the regular season,” explained Head Speech and Debate Coach Malia Frerking. “The team got first place in Division II at our state tournament, NIFA, in February for the second year in a row.” 

She said the team’s debaters had an exceptionally great tournament at NCCFI. 

“Thomas and Aidan McKinnon were the overall parliamentary debate champions,” said Frerking. “Throughout the year, these two have formed an excellent team. Our newest debater, Jacy Jackson, has made great headway in her rhetorical and speaking ability over the season. Senior Cohen Carpenter made it to quarterfinals in IPDA debate, his second-ever time competing in the event. Alongside strong performance from our other parliamentary teams, resulted in debate receiving first place in Division II debate.” 

Jackson said NCCFI was an amazing experience.  

Throughout the year, our nine debaters have really grown, and we have some extremely talented individuals competing in speech. I feel as though our team has really accomplished becoming one unit that supports every individual.

“It provided great competition and an opportunity for you to grow in your faith,” said Jackson. “The competitors, coaches and officials were all welcoming and supportive. While three days of competition can be exhausting, NCCFI did a great job making things fun! In the week that I spent in Texas, I grew closer with my teammates and made new friendships across the nation.” 

The Concordia University, Nebraska speech event participants enjoyed great success as well. 

“Of the eleven events the team was entered in, we had at least one finalist in eight of them,” said Frerking. “Concordia Nebraska has sized out of division two for the speech category and entered the open category, and while we didn’t crack top three this year, we definitely could next year. We had three freshman final in their events and have an extremely strong junior class.” 

The team will have their last big tournament of the year, American Forensics Association National Speech Tournament (AFA-NST), April 4-7, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Thirteen students qualified in 22 events this year, four of whom are freshmen. Senior Madelyn Graham was selected by the team’s district committee as one of the All-American Nominees for the American Forensics Association tournament. 

“Through the whole season, students must rank highly at multiple tournaments to be able to qualify their events. Though most are taking one or two, Brynn Holtmeier qualified for all four events she competed in this year, and senior Madelyn Graham qualified for three,” said Frerking. “We hope to regain a spot among the top 20 schools at AFA this year, and for Madelyn to be selected for the All-American team.” 

Holtmeier said that at NCCFI, the team always goes in with the mindset that anything can happen.  

“We set the goals of advocating to the best of our abilities and supporting one another as we compete on the national level,” he said. “One of my favorite parts of this meet is being able to compete against people who also share a lot of Concordia’s values and have a passion for advocacy. It is also a chance for the entire team to compete at the national level.” 

Frerking said she is incredibly proud of the team. 

“This is my first year as a full-time coach, and the team has embraced the changes and challenges that come with that beautifully,” she said. “Throughout the year, our nine debaters have really grown, and we have some extremely talented individuals competing in speech. I feel as though our team has really accomplished becoming one unit that supports every individual. Our NCCFI success was awesome, and I hope that we can build on it at AFA!” 

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.