Logan Scisco's 2004-2005 Pre-Season KY Extemp Rankings

**KY_Extemper** · 08-01-2004, 01:30 PM

I figured that now that I'm off of the extemp scene in Kentucky I now have the impartiality to rank the top five extempers across the state and what a better day to do it than the first day of August? Here's a history of pre-season number ones since I started the list my freshman year (although never released on the Internet):

2000-2001 Season---Lexi Menish (Assumption)
2001-2002 Season---Nicole Hawk (LaRue County)
2002-2003 Season---Logan Scisco (Danville)
2003-2004 Season---Logan Scisco (Danville)
2004-2005 Season---????????? (?????)

Well without further adieu here are my pre-season rankings (which I hope can be updated throughout the year when results filter in):

5th---Rebekah Allen (Bethlehem)

Reason: Qualified for CFL Nationals last year with a fourth place finish at CFL Districts. The first exposure to a national tournament usually means good things for an upcoming season and since Allen has been in KHSSL State Extemp finals in 2003 she also has that going for her.

4th---David Stroup (Danville)

Reason: Defending champion of the Henry Clay Speak of the Devil Classic this year and a consistent finalist at many tournaments. The question that remains is whether Danville's extemp squad will have a revival of firepower after losing four of its key extempers over the last two years (Joel Meister, Bill Ellis, Logan Scisco, and Adam Hoover). Stroup might be fighting alone for Danville this season but its a season that has definite promise for Stroup to finally make KHSSL state finals and/or qualify for CFL & NFL Nationals.

3rd---Ashley Adkins (Rowan County)

Reason: This sophmore student from Rowan County is my dark horse pick of the year for the Kentucky extemporaneous scene and probably won't start making any waves (if those comes about) until the end of the year when Rowan comes out in force for "March Madness." Adkins was in KESDA Extemp finals garnering a fourth place finish although I thought she won the round. While seeing her speak I saw a lot of comparisons I could draw between her style and that of Kelli Trent who was without question the best KY extemper in 2002. Just don't be surprised if this young and talented extemper makes her way into the mix of things for KESDA & NFL Districts and takes down some of the best competitors in the process.

2nd---Brice Acree (LaRue County)

Reason: Acree came onto the extemp circuit and was a consistent finalist. He also did well in March by finaling at KESDA (placing third) and qualifying for CFL Nationals & NFL Nationals (in IX). Acree also was invited to the Barkley Forum and made quarter-finals at CFL Nationals as well as octo-finals at NFL in International Extemp. The main rivarly this year will be between Acree and Courtney Otto for the top extemp spot in the state but of course other extempers could enter into the fray with improvement in the off-season. Acree's defeat of Otto at NFL Districts in both the USX & IX categories foreshadows a good rivalry for the coming season and it should be interesting to watch both of them trade blows at the many prelimary tournaments and in March.

1st---Courtney Otto (Kentucky Country Day)

Reason: Yeah like this wasn't predicted when you started reading this post. Otto has been a consistent force in Kentucky since her freshman year when she placed third at the 2002 KHSSL State tournament and then finished second in 2003. She finaled at every March tournament she attended last year winning CFL Districts (to qualify for nationals), finishing second @ KESDA, and finishing 3rd in the USX & IX categories at NFL Districts. Otto won the CFL National tournament in extemporaneous speaking and finished third at NFL in USX (winning the final round to make KY the first state ever to have two USX final round winners and the only state to thus far win the Professor's Plate back-to-back). The one item missing on Otto's resume, though, is a state championship (and I only count KHSSL unless I decide to make an exception like I did for Kelli Trent when she assassinated the field at KESDA in 2002) and she's been close on numerous occassions finishing behind Nicole Hawk in 2002 & Logan Scisco in 2003. Otto didn't attend KHSSL last year but hopes to do so this year which should lead to a nice showdown with Acree for the 2005 KHSSL state crown.

Well that's my take on the current position of KY extemp this year. What do you all think?

**blacksburg4n6** · 08-02-2004, 01:38 PM

how did those rankings hold out over the course of the last two years? did you win KHSSL States both years?

**vertigo_dx** · 08-02-2004, 02:32 PM

Thanks, I suppose.

I have to go to KHSSL, if for no other reason than that Brice and I have already decided it would be fun to have a showdown, if possible. . . :wink:

We'll see how the year plays out. I'm going to miss having you around to stomp my butt, Logan. And we did lose a lot of good talent after last season. . .but you never know.

**KY_Extemper** · 08-02-2004, 09:19 PM

While some might say "well your being quite pompous being ranked #1 in your own poll" from 2002 to 2004, I did a measure based on the previous results from the last year which would match up perfectly for why Lexi & Nicole were #1's in their years.

As far as blacksburg's question goes, yes I did win KHSSL States the last two years in extemp so that #1 ranking I guess held up well but was judged based on KY tourney performance & national performance as with all of the others. These same factors helped me rank the #1 person this year.

Of course my rankings are totally subjective and you can decide for yourself how the KY extempers stack up. I just decided to put my two cents in because I had nothing better to do.....until my next column or what not.

**Lord Chancellor** · 08-04-2004, 10:21 AM

Logan: I liked your rankings, but I'm afraid I'm placed a little too high.

I was going to wait and post these, but, since you initiated, I will follow suit. Maybe I cannot be quite as objective, as these people are my competitors, but I think I have some pretty good insight into the extemp world. I have also added a rank 6, I guess to resemble a typical final round. So, even though I know these ranks carry no weight compared to those of Mr. Scisco, let's have a go anyway.

Rank 6: Joe Gallenstein, Boone County High School

I do realize that some people may consider me to be pulling on very little content here. I do understand that Mr. Gallenstein was not a consistant finalist last year, but what I also understand is that he holds vast amounts of political knowledge. If Mr. Gallenstein will develop his fluency, he could easily final at most tournaments as he did at Harrisson in 03/04.

Rank 5: Kathleen Burke, Boone County High School

I attended the WKU Forensics Camp in the summer of 2003 and Ms. Burke was with me in the LD Debate track. She is a talented debater, and a good extemper as well, though I think her strong suit is in LD. Ms. Burke has, for the most part, pretty solid sources, and is a semiconsistant finalist in the Kentucky tournaments. She's only a rising Junior, and I figure she'll be powerful this year, and a powerhouse as a senior.

Rank 4: Rebekah Allen, Bethlehem High School

As several people know, I walked into the extemp scene just last year, and Ms. Allen has always finaled at the tournaments I've been to. She has solid sources, and a good style. She might have a little bit of work to do if she wants to advance at Nationals, but she's still one of Kentucky's best.

Rank 3: David Stroup, Danville High School

As far as I've seen, the power houses from Danville were Logan Scisco and Adam Hoover, causing David to fight for the spotlight. David is an exceptional extemper, winning the Hoosier Invitational at IU, and, if he maintains the file boxes, could easily be successful in Kentucky extemp this year.

Rank 2: Chad Reese, Scott County High School

Mr. Reese is an exceptional speaker, and is one of the best I've had the pleasure to see in Kentucky. He was the only Junior to final at the KHSSL State tournament in 2004, and will lead the Kentucky extempers this year. Mr. Reese has a laid-back, fluent style of speaking that tends to charm his listeners. This rank should hold true, so long as Mr. Reese, who used only two sources in his final round speech at KHSSL, updates his files, and clips this year. If he does, he will be a worthy advesary for number one.

Rank 1: Courtney Otto, Kentucky Country Day

I'm very happy that Ms. Otto's record preceeds her, otherwise people would accuse me of being biased. Courtney won the CFL National Tournament, and the NFL National final round, giving her, by far, the best record of the returning extempers in this commonwealth. She's very talented, fluent, and can use sources when so prompted. In my opinion, there will be very little room for anyone to overthrow this number 1.

So, there they are. We'll see if they hold up.

--Brice Douglas Lawrence Acree
Supreme High Chancellor

**KY_Extemper** · 08-04-2004, 01:34 PM

Haha didn't include yourself in that list? LOL

**Lord Chancellor** · 08-04-2004, 04:35 PM

If I thought I needed to be on that list, you'd find me there. As it stands, I have quite a bit of work to do this year.

Tata folks!

--Brice

**vertigo_dx** · 08-09-2004, 10:20 AM

"when prompted" . . . so true. unfortunately :P

But you deserve to be on that list, Brice, and the rest of us know it even if you won't acknowledge it. . .