National Novice Team

Starting in 2025, the Asynchronous Speech Championship wants to celebrate the top novice competitors from across the country through something we’re calling the National Novice Team.

Intended to highlight the newer team members whose accomplishments might not yet manifest in competitive success, this team shines light on the novice members who show passion for speech and make up the heart of the team. 

For those interested in applying, novice competitors should complete the simple application through the link provided by March 1st, 2025. These applications will undergo an initial screening process. Most significant from this process for you is no more than two members of any given team will be considered in the final screening process, though we encourage all interested first year competitors to apply. Up to 20 novice competitors will earn a spot on the National Novice Team.

March 12, tournament staff will alert coaches or other team contacts about the novice competitors who will move to the next screening level. At that time, coaches or other team contacts will be invited to submit a recommendation for the student about their impact on team culture. 

Final top novice team determination will be based on the following criteria:

Primary Criteria

• Commitment to learning

• Excitement about college speech

• Contribution to team impact

Secondary Criteria

• Number of entries at ASC

• Genres entered at ASC

• Final Individual Sweepstakes placement relative to other novice competitors

Encourage your novice competitors to apply for the National Novice Team today!

• Individual Application Link: https://forms.gle/GpxffovNufZ9HAjs6

• Coach or Team Contact Link: https://forms.gle/KKPCgWA6FDYwCVW27 

With questions, reach out to tournament director Julie Walker (Julie.walker@smsu.edu or 706-844-2773).

2025 National Novice Team

Kaira Soin, Bellevue College

Cate Dolezal, Belmont University

Bryce Crawford, Belmont University

Shay Lambie, California State University Long Beach

John Semple, Grand Canyon University

Josee Compton, Grand Canyon University

Maisa Ahmad, Hofstra University

Karn Jaswal, Hofstra University

Christina Herbert, Methodist University

Muhammad S. Ali, Methodist University

Valeria Arredondo, Tennessee State University

Alicia Trevino, Tennessee State University

Martin Jones, University of Minnesota

Joey Haddad, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Winifred Huber, University of Nebraska Omaha

Brianna Winfield, University of Nebraska Omaha

Ella Bynane, University of Texas at Austin

Harry Jedd, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Lily Smogor, University of Wisconsin Madison

Lily Wamser, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Reginald Hayes, Wayne State University

Mikayla Hammer, Truman State University

Lauren Weiss, Truman State University