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Durham Academy claimed its fifth extemporaneous speaking state championship in six years last weekend at the North Carolina Tarheel Forensic League State Tournament. Connor Leech of Durham defeated Elizabeth Kingaby of Central Cabarrus High School by two ranks for the title, thereby continuing an impressive streak of dominance by Durham in the category. However, Kingaby nearly won the championship, taking two of the three first place ranks in the final round. An errant sixth place rank doomed her title hopes.
Both Leech and Kingaby were return finalists, with Leech finishing fourth at last year’s state tournament and Kingaby finishing third.
In addition to Leech’s victory, Durham had two other finalists. Abhishek Kodumagulla took third and Jackson Dellinger took fifth.
Four extempers earned an automatic qualification to the 2015 Extemp TOC at Northwestern University by virtue of making the final round at the tournament. They are indicated in italics below.
Here are the results of the 2015 North Carolina Tarheel Forensic League State Tournament (Click here for tab sheet):
Champion: Connor Leech (Durham Academy, North Carolina)
2nd: Elizabeth Kingaby (Central Cabarrus High School, North Carolina)
3rd: Abhishek Kodumagulla (Durham Academy, North Carolina)
4th: Rachel Pomerantz (Providence High School, North Carolina)
5th: Jackson Dellinger (Durham Academy, North Carolina)
6th: Manisha Dubey (Ardrey Kell High School, North Carolina)
Extemp Central thanks the North Carolina Tarheel Forensic League for putting the results of the tournament online.