The Salem High School Forensics team made history back in March and Monday night the team members were formally honored by City Council., Coach Mark Ingerson and his talented squad won their 18th consecutive state championship this spring. Salem dominated the Class 4 field with a 40-17 win over second place EC Glass by racking up with six individual state championships and three runners-up. The victory broke the VHSL consecutive championship record set by Christiansburg wrestling for any academic or athletic VHSL team.
RESOLUTION 1466 - HONORING 2023 SALEM HIGH SCHOOL FORENSICS STATE CHAMPIONS
WHEREAS, with a great deal of pride and enthusiasm the City of Salem champions the development of its young people by providing an array of opportunities in both the academic and competition arenas; and
WHEREAS, throughout the years, our youth have excelled in both areas, bringing numerous accolades to the city and school division through a variety of extracurricular activities; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Mark Ingerson led another formidable forensics competition team at Salem High School to its 18th consecutive state championship, extending its VHSL record for consecutive forensics team championships in March of 2024; and
WHEREAS, this championship set the all-time record for the most consecutive team championships in VHSL history for any athletic or academic team; and
WHEREAS, the team’s 40-17 victory over second place E.C. Glass High School was sparked by 6 individual state titles and 9 students who placed in the top 2 and 10 Spartans who landed in the top 3 in the 10 events; and
WHEREAS, the team was led by senior Kade Lakin who won his third consecutive state title in Serious Duo; and
WHEREAS, sophomore Bella Poarch partnered with Kade Lakin for her first state championship in Serious Duo; and
WHEREAS, senior Lebron Parsell won the state championship in Extemporaneous Speaking; and
WHEREAS, junior Noah Lovern won the state championship in Storytelling; and
WHEREAS, junior Claire Rawlins won the state championship in Impromptu Speaking; and
WHEREAS, junior Charlie Bain won the state championship in Humorous Interpretation; and
WHEREAS, eighth grader Tara Farrokhpoor won the state championship in Prose Interpretation becoming the first Salem eighth grader to medal at the state championship; and
WHEREAS, several Spartans posted 2nd place finishes including; senior Kyra Netting in Poetry Interpretation, juniors Connor Smythers and Colton Easter in Humorous Duo; and sophomore Lacey Stratton in Humorous Interpretation; and
WHEREAS, sophomore Rebekah Steinweg finished third in Extemporaneous Speaking; and
WHEREAS, senior Zane Easter, sophomore Parneet Gill, and freshman Kaylee Sutphin supported the team by competing in the state tournament in Impromptu Speaking, Original Oratory, and Serious Dramatic respectively; and
WHEREAS, ninth grader Lillyana Smith, eighth grader Zippy Elliott, and eighth grader Aly Ory supported the team throughout the season and competed in the Regional Championships; and
WHEREAS, eighth grader Ava Milton, eighth grader Rosalie Botos, and junior Hall Blackwood supported the team throughout the year and competed in the Super Regional Championships; and
WHEREAS, junior Kaelyn Henzey provided support to the team throughout the season in her role as team manager; and
WHEREAS, the Salem High School Forensics Team has brought recognition, honor, and pride to Salem High School and the City of Salem; and
WHEREAS, the City of Salem hereby expresses congratulations and appreciation to Mark Ingerson and the members of the Salem High School Forensics Team for their accomplishments; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA,
that Council joins with the citizens of the City of Salem in saluting the great achievements of the Salem High School Forensics Team in winning the 2024 STATE FORENSICS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to the coaches and each team member and that a copy be placed on display at Salem High School.
Hunter Holliday – Aye
Bill Jones – Aye
Randy Foley – Aye
Jim Wallace – Aye
Renée Ferris Turk – Aye