TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama Forensic Council took first place in the Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha National Forensic Honorary Tournament held March 15-17 at The University of Mississippi.

This is the second year in a row that the UA team has won the National Team Champion Award at this competition. Over the years, the UA Speech Team has won 16 national titles.

UA won the National Champion School Award with a total of 306 points, topping second-place University of Florida with 174 points and third-place University of Mississippi with 114 points. Other SEC schools in the competition included Louisiana State University and Florida State University.

Dr. Frank Thompson Jr., UA director of forensics, noted that “the success of the team is the result of a great deal of talent and a strong work ethic.”

UA students on the speech team took home many individual awards as well. Sonequa Martin of Russellville won four individual championships and placed in two other competitions. Other multiple winners were Blake Williams of Prattville, Jenny Wells of Birmingham (zip code 35216), Emily Hopper of Hartselle, Michelle Howard of Jefferson City, Mo., Aliah Summers of Birmingham (zip code 35213), Shalonda Capers of Pinson, Austin McDonald of Prattville, Chris Harding of Birmingham (zip code 35223) and Michael Bailey of Sheffield.

A complete list of winners from the UA team includes:

National Champion Pentathlon Award – Sonequa Martin

3rd Pentathlon Award – Blake Williams

5th Pentathlon Award – Jenny Wells

National Champion Informative Speaking – Jenny Wells

3rd Informative Speaking – Michelle Howard

4th Informative Speaking – Emily Hopper

6th Informative Speaking – Alyssa Reinecker of Calabasas, Calif.

National Champion Prose Interpretation – Sonequa Martin

3rd Prose Interpretation – Aliah Summers

4th Prose Interpretation – Shalonda Capers

5th Prose Interpretation – Austin McDonald

6th Prose Interpretation – Blake Williams

National Champion Persuasive Speaking – Emily Hopper

2nd Persuasive Speaking – Leann Neal of Eva

4th Persuasive Speaking – Chris Harding

National Champion Poetry Interpretation – Sonequa Martin

4th Poetry Interpretation – Blake Williams

5th Poetry Interpretation – Shalonda Capers

National Champion Dramatic Interpretation – Sonequa Martin

3rd Dramatic Interpretation – Jenny Wells

5th Dramatic Interpretation – Blake Williams

6th Dramatic Interpretation – Nick Fox of Summerdale

2nd Dramatic Duo Interpretation – Austin McDonald/Blake Williams

3rd Dramatic Duo Interpretation – Aliah Summers/Michael Bailey

4th Dramatic Duo Interpretation – Austin McDonald/Taylor Curtis of Tuscaloosa

5th Dramatic Duo Interpretation – Jenny Wells/Sonequa Martin

3rd Communication Analysis – Michelle Howard

3rd Program Oral Interpretation – Sonequa Martin

6th Program Oral Interpretation – Shalonda Capers

4th After Dinner Speaking – Chris Harding

5th After Dinner Speaking – Austin McDonald

6th After Dinner Speaking – Tim Gohn of Livermore, Calif.

Superior Speaker Student Congress – Michael Bailey

Excellent Speaker Student Congress – Alex Fowler of Traverse City, Mich.

National Student President – Michelle Howard

1st Vice President – Jenny Wells

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.