Torch, Spring 2005

Spring 2005 / TORCH 19 Forensics Team Named State Champs T his winter, Cedarville University’s forensics team earned a State Champion title for the fourth straight year by topping 11 other teams at the Ohio Forensics Association State Championship. Cedarville won by an unprecedented margin, with almost double the number of points as second place finisher Bowling Green State University. The win was due to the outstanding combined performances of the varsity and novice squads at their respective events. At the varsity competition, hosted by Cedarville University on Feb. 18-19, CU’s Daniel Harder and Gena Bravick led the Cedarville team’s performance by winning champion ratings in the Sales (Harder) and Rhetorical Criticism (Bravick) categories. At the Feb. 4-5 novice competition at Ohio University, Cedarville was led by the champion finishes of Ashley Hunter in Trithon, Julianne Howe in Poetry, Daniel Harder in Sales as well as After-Dinner, Jen Grant in Rhetorical Criticism as well as Persuasion, Gena Bravick in Informative, and Megan Waters in Impromptu. The team is coached by Matt Moore and Derrick Green, both assistant professors of communication arts. Basketball Teams Conclude Memorable Seasons I t was another incredible season of Cedarville University basketball, and both Yellow Jacket teams made significant championship runs at their respective NAIA Division II National Tournaments in March. The Lady Jackets matched the school record for most victories in a season at 35-2 and repeated as national runner-up. The CU men set a new school mark for victories during their 28-10 season and advanced to the NAIA Final Four, which is the deepest they have ever gone in the tournament. The Lady Jackets were hoping to grab the national title that eluded them in last year’s championship game setback to Morningside College, a school located in the tournament host city of Sioux City, Iowa. However, Cedarville was denied again by Morningside, 75-65, as the host Mustangs took advantage of the capacity crowd of 6,500 cheering them on in the Tyson Events Center — minus the 75 Yellow Jacket faithful that were in attendance. Senior guard Kari Flunker (left) graduates as CU’s all-time leader in points (2,275), 3-point field goals (338), 3-point percentage (.458), free throw percentage (.813), assists (644), and steals (331). She was named to the NAIA Division II All-America First Team along with sophomore guard Brittany Smart, who led the team in scoring (21.8) and set a school record for the most points scored in one season (805). Junior forward Mugabe Thomas (right) was selected to the men’s NAIA Division II All-America Second Team. He was also tabbed to the National All-Tournament Team. Senior guard Jason Weakley earned All-America honorable mention honors. He graduates with 1,618 career points and is Cedarville’s all-time assist leader with 565. Student’s Book Sex and the Single Guy Released S ex and the Single Guy: Winning Your Battle for Purity has been released by Moody Publishers. The author, Cedarville senior Joe Knable, explained, “The message of Sex and the Single Guy is born of Scripture and driven by the real and lasting work that God has done in many single guys and girls, including me. It explores why guys struggle with sexual immorality, how they can live a transformed life, and all that awaits them when they do.” Sex and the Single Guy has been endorsed by Christian leaders like Dr. James MacDonald, Tommy Nelson, Dr. Paul Dixon, and Dr. Bill Brown. Brown noted, “[Joe’s] approach is straightforward, unashamed, humorous, and, most importantly, biblical. … Joe rocks the world of every young man’s journey through the battle of lust and sex, giving sane, practical, and not always comfortable advice.” Knable has been speaking to college and high school students about purity. He plans to continue sharing the book’s message at colleges, churches, and conferences nationwide, and he recently introduced his own Web site at www.josephknable.com. “I’m really way out of my league in this,” the integrated language arts education major said, “but I know it has been God that has ordained every step of the process. This is His message, and He will use it for His purposes.” Although Knable is to begin flight training as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force following graduation, he feels strongly that this book won’t be his last. He has already been discussing several other book ideas with Moody. Photo courtesy of Moody Publishers Assistant Coach Joy Fagan and Coach Kirk Martin with the Lady Jackets