The Lawrence High School forensics squad placed second overall last weekend at a tournament hosted across town at Free State High School.

The tournament was held one week after Free State made the same showing at Lawrence High’s tournament.

Along the way, Lawrence High qualified two more students to compete at the Class 6A State Forensics Tournament May 4 in Olathe.

Lauren Pauls, senior, qualified in two events by placing first in original oratory and second in informative speaking. Last semester, Pauls and classmate Edie Loupe went to the 6A state tournament in two-speaker debate competition.

Also qualifying for the state tournament was Katie Gaches, junior, who finished second in impromptu speaking.

In addition for preparing for the upcoming state tournaments, all area forensics squads are gearing up for the National Forensics League District tournament where students have the chance to qualify for the national tournament to be held this summer in Birmingham, Ala.

The East Kansas district tournament for congressional debate will be April 5-6 at Bishop Miege High School in Johnson County. The tournament for other forensics events will be April 19-20 at Olathe South High School.

Other Lawrence High speakers who placed at the Free State tournament included:

• Frances Berghout, senior, third place, informative speaking.

• Clara Cobb, sophomore, third place, humorous interpretation.

• Cobb and Jordan Martinez, sophomore, third place, improvised duet acting.

• Michael Straub, freshman, and Alex Moriarty, freshman, third place, public forum debate.

• Isabella Whittaker, sophomore, third place, oral interpretation.

• Tristan Delnevo, freshman, fourth place, humorous interpretation.

• Morgan Oehlertz, senior, and Olivia Oehlertz, sophomore, fifth place, duet acting.

• Audie Monroe, senior, fifth place, impromptu speaking.

• Morgan Ross, freshman, sixth place, foreign extemporaneous speaking.

• Dylan McManis, sophomore, sixth place, humorous interpretation.

• Sarah Smoot, junior, and Abbie Wise, junior, sixth place, duet acting.

• Isabella Whittaker, sophomore, sixth place, oral interpretation.

• Jordan Martinez, sophomore, sixth place, oral interpretation of poetry.