Two Fairmont students place fourth at NIETOC

FAIRMONT — This past weekend, the Fairmont Speech Team competed at the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC) from Thursday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18 in Kansas City, Miss. Sophomore Leon Yang took Fourth Place in Humorous Interpretation, and senior Dominick Lund-May took Fourth Place in Impromptu Speaking.

Students from all over the country qualify for the tournament throughout the regular season by finishing in the top 20 percent or better in multiple regular-season tournaments to earn their way to NIETOC. Leon Yang competed against 179 other qualifiers from across the country. Dominick Lund-May competed against 94 other competitors. Both students set a Fairmont Speech program record for highest placement at a national tournament.

Other honors at the Tournament of Champions were seniors Grace Simpson and Oliver Thedens placing top 60 in Duo Interpretation and junior Belinda Lutterman placing top 60 in Extemporaneous Speaking. Senior Isaac Thomas, sophomore Annie Reyelts, and freshman Evan Reyelts also qualified for the tournament.

The Fairmont Speech Team is coached by Kathleen Walker, Erik Walker and Miles Duffey.