College of DuPage’s Forensics speech and debate team achieved outstanding success at the 2026 Illinois Intercollegiate State Speech & Debate Tournament, where it was named State Champion in Community College Debate. The team also finished second in the Overall Community College division and third in Community College Individual Events.

Individually, students Jake Pool and Charlie Olszanowski were crowned Tournament Champions in the Open Division of Parliamentary Debate, winning ahead of teams from four-year colleges, universities and community colleges. Team member Mack Mullen also finished as Tournament Champion in Community College Informative Speaking.

After finishing the tournament, the team took home more than 20 trophies. Those awards included:

• Jake Pool: Second place in Open Extemporaneous Speaking, second in Open Impromptu Speaking, third place Speaker in Open Parliamentary Debate, second place Speaker in Open International Public Debate and quarterfinalist in Open International Public Debate
• Ceci DeArcangeles: Second place in Community College International Public Debate and second place Speaker in Community College International Public Debate
• Charlie Olszanowski: Third place in Open Extemporaneous Speaking, octofinalist in Open IPDA, fifth place in Community College Speech to Entertain, second place Speaker in Community College Parliamentary Debate and fifth place in Community College Dramatic Interpretation
• Andy Pham: Fifth place in Poetry Interpretation
• Jessica Swain: Second place in Community College Duo Interpretation with partner Mack Mullen and third place in Community College Poetry Interpretation
• Mack Mullen: Third place in Community College Communication Analysis and second place in Duo Interpretation with partner Jessica Swain
• Sash Drahomyretska: Fourth place in Community College Informative Speaking
• Henry Pices: Fifth place in Community College Impromptu Speaking

Team members Katie Young and Sarah Hill rounded out an excellent team performance.

“I am immensely proud of the students who have worked tirelessly for the past six months preparing their speeches and practicing debate,” said Assistant Professor of Speech Communication and team director Kacy Abeln. “Watching the students start the season in September with nothing prepared and go on to win state awards is amazing.”

COD’s Forensics team is coached by Abeln and speech faculty members Brandon Wood, Mia Poston and K Imhoff.

Learn more about COD’s Forensics team.