History

The California Baptist University forensics team has had a long tradition of success. For more than 40 years, the CBU forensics team has been improving the abilities of speakers, aiding in the intellectual growth of students, producing great critical thinkers and winning national championships. A few of the team's many successes include:

  • Winning 2nd place in our division in both Debate and Individual Events at the 2021 National Christian College Forensics Invitational
  • Winning 1st place in individual events (Division 2) at the 2020 National Christian College Forensics Invitational
  • Winning 4th place overall (3rd place in debate) at the 2007 NCCFI
  • Winning 1st place in individual events at the 2003 National Christian College Forensics Invitational 
  • Winning 1st place at the 1999 Southwestern/Sunset Cliffs Classic swing, one of the largest tournaments in the country
  • Winning 1st place at the 1997 Todd Lewis Invitational at Biola University

In addition, CBU has produced over 20 individual national championships in debate and individual events since 1998. They include:

  • 1998
    • Tony Harris & Patrick Thompson—Open Duo Interpretation
    • Tony HarrisOpen Communication Analysis
    • David WarrenOpen Impromptu Speaking
    • Michael Hoffman & Troy LewisNovice Duo Interpretation
      (Tony Harris was the 2nd place Top Speaker)
  • 1999
    • Samantha SwindallOpen Prose Interpretation
    • Tony HarrisOpen Speech to Entertain
  • 2000
    • Mike MarseOpen Speech to Entertain
    • Carl SimmonsOpen Impromptu Speaking
    • Rose BoydstenOpen Persuasion
    • Rebecca ColemanNovice Speech to Entertain
    • Mike MarseTop Speaker Senior Parliamentary Debate
  • 2001
    • Rose BoydstenOpen Informative Speaking
    • James MillerNovice Dramatic Interpretation
      (Nick Peterson2nd place Top Speaker Senior Parliamentary Debate)
  • 2003
    • Mary PryfogleOpen Programmed Oral Interpretation
    • Crystal Lane SwiftOpen Poetry Interpretation
    • Crystal Lane Swift & Shaunte CaraballoOpen Duo Interpretation
    • Crystal Lane SwiftTop I.E. Speaker/National Champion
  • 2004
    • Shaunte CaraballoOpen Faith Literature Interpretation
  • 2005
    • Mary PryfogleOpen Faith Literature Interpretation
  • 2007
    • Megan MichaelNovice Speech to Entertain
  • 2008
    • Alise Ayock, Stephanie Gomez, Joshua Kammert and Molly PowersReader's Theater
  • 2012
    • Alex LamascusOpen Lincoln-Douglas Debate
    • Matthew PhillipsNovice Lincoln-Douglas Debate
  • 2014
    • Matthew Phillips2nd place in Open Lincoln-Douglas Debate
  • 2015
    • Caleb SutherlinNovice Lincoln-Douglas Debate
    • Fernanda DeLaO2nd place in Open Lincoln-Douglas Debate
  • 2020
    • Jordan Sandoval - Novice Communication Analysis
  • 2021
    • Dylan Jacobs - Novice Impromptu Speaking
    • Dylan Jacobs - Novice Extemporaneous Speaking

For more information on the CBU forensics team, contact Professor Marse at (951) 343-4207, or email him at mmarse@calbaptist.edu.