Award-winning forensics program builds skills, camaraderie at SDSU

Story from Pigeon605

One of South Dakota State University’s oldest co-curricular activities now is one of its newest success stories.

College forensics has been part of SDSU’s history almost as long as the university itself, dating back to the late 1880s when the team appeared in the school’s second course catalog.

This year brought a new milestone for the program as the Jackrabbits placed 13th in the American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament in Oregon — the highest finish in program history and an improvement from the team’s 20th place national finish during the 2023-24 season.

“This year’s team wanted it,” said Andrea Carlile, assistant professor and director of forensics, who has led the program since 2012.

“While over half our team was in their first year of competition, our seniors and returning team members were eager to build off the success of the 2025 nationals season,” she said. “But they wanted it beyond competition.

“Our activity hinges on making a statement with authenticity and purpose,” Carlile continued. “Those folks who lead the path wanted to stand out to say something and wanted to be competitive while serving a bigger purpose.”

Jackrabbits Forensics includes collegiate-level oral interpretation, speech and debate, challenging students to research issues, craft arguments and communicate ideas with clarity and empathy.

“This group trains students to act with civility and open-mindedness, which are often absent in our current climate,” Carlile said. “They’re empowered to explain ideas, explore societal issues and challenge their own and others’ perspectives.”

The team’s success this season came through strong performances across multiple events.

SDSU students advanced to quarterfinals in 10 events, placing among the nation’s top competitors in their categories. Four students advanced to semifinal rounds in three events, while several competitors reached finals.

Senior Hannah Markley and sophomore Gavin Eischens made program history by winning first place in duo interpretation — the first national title in the event in Jackrabbits forensics’ more than 100-year history.

Senior Emma Arneson earned a spot on the American Forensic Association All-American Team, an honor recognizing only 15 students nationally for competitive achievement, academics and community service. Arneson also placed fifth in impromptu speaking, while Eischens earned sixth place in program oral interpretation.

Under Carlile’s leadership, the team steadily has grown both in size and national prominence.

The roster has expanded from eight active students in 2022 to 18 competitors in 2026, drawing students from nearly every college within the university. While the team is housed within SDSU’s School of Communication and Journalism, participants come from a broad range of academic backgrounds.

“Our students study in almost every college at the university,” Carlile said.

The season itself is demanding, stretching nearly the entire academic year. Students begin preparing events for in August, travel to tournaments starting in September and compete through April, often traveling across the Midwest nearly every other weekend.

Competitors can spend eight to 10 hours in competition during a single tournament day.

“These students are not just part of a club,” Carlile said. “They spend hours crafting, refining and perfecting their performances. They are elite competitors.”

The experience, she said, builds skills that translate directly into careers and leadership opportunities after graduation.

Students sharpen research and critical thinking abilities while learning to think quickly under pressure and communicate effectively with different audiences.

“In all events, they gain research and critical thinking skills,” Carlile said. “Every event requires students in some way to highlight to the audience the big picture for their performance. I like to call it the ‘so what, why now?’”

They also develop time-management skills while balancing classes, jobs, other activities and the demands of competition.

“All gain skills to think on their feet and respond thoughtfully with little preparation,” Carlile said.

Beyond competition, students build a close-knit community that often becomes a defining part of their college experience.

“While our activity can appear individualistic, we work together as a team,” Carlile said. “We practice for each other, provide critiques, help uplift and support one another.”

The environment intentionally emphasizes collaboration, she added, helping students develop friendships and professional relationships that continue long after graduation.

Each week, Carlile even creates a meme to share with the team before practice.

“I lean into the cringe,” she said with a laugh. “Whether it’s a hit or a flop, they connect about the meme.”

For some students, the program itself helps shape their decision to attend SDSU.

“Students absolutely choose to come to SDSU for forensics,” Carlile said. “We are not just an extracurricular — we are a university team who competes under the school in the same way an athletic team would.”

The program recruits students directly from high school competition programs, while also welcoming newcomers who discover forensics after arriving on campus.

“I have alumni who I recruited from high school to join our program and in turn SDSU,” Carlile said. “We also take what you might call walk-ons, and those folks have also found success.”

As the Jackrabbits continue building on their national momentum, Carlile sees the program’s impact extending far beyond trophies and rankings.

“Our team motto is ‘Speak your passion,’ and all of the team lived up to that motto this year,” she said. “Yes, it was about being competitively successful, but it was more about doing something with passion and purpose.”

To learn more about Jackrabbits Forensics, visit the program's webpage.