LCHS Speech team duo Tanner and McCray head to State Competition today

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[February 23, 2015]  LINCOLN - Juniors Braden Tanner and Zac McCray have qualified for the IHSA Individual Events State Speech competition Feb. 20-21 at Peoria Civic Center in Humorous Duet Acting.

Tanner and McCray earned a 3rd place in HDA at the Sectional tournament at Normal Community West High School Saturday; the top three finishers move to the State tournament.

"Braden and Zac went to state last year as sophomores but their first year on the team," said head coach Jennifer Keith. "They have grown so much as performers and captains this year, and although we were heartbroken more did not advance, I'm so grateful for this opportunity for these two young men to show off their talents at the State tournament again this year."



Sectional finalists who did not advance to state were Tanner and freshman Justin Woods, 5th in Dramatic Duet Acting, and sophomore Claire Conrady, 6th in Original Comedy.

"With only one sectional in the entire central and southern Illinois region and five in the top half of the state," Keith continued, "we look at this Sectional as a state tournament in itself. Tremendous competition from such talent students in our area and east, west and south."

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Tanner and McCray will compete once Friday afternoon with the top 19 other finalists in the state with three judges, and again sometime Saturday morning with a different three judges. Then the top six students will "break" into the final round, becoming State Finalists, and perform once more for a new panel of five judges. The State Champion then performs once crowned for his/her peers in a 3-hour award ceremony Saturday evening.

[LCHS Speech Coach Jennifer Keith]

 

 

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