The Loudoun County High School forensics team placed first in the Dulles District tournament earlier this month at Heritage High School.

The Raiders outscored the nearest competitor by more than 40 points. Co-captains Alecia Moore (the 2012 state champion for Poetry) and Bobby McCurdy (the 2012 state runner-up for Impromptu Speaking) led the team.

Placing for the Raiders were:

Extemporaneous Speaking
First place: Karis Cha

Original Oratory
Third place:Lizzet Suarez

Humorous Interpretation
Second place: Kirstie Pratt
Third place: Laurel Mosher 

Prose
First place: Kerry Johnson

Humorous Duo Interpretation
Second place: Mark Donehoo and Michael Simmons
Fourth place: Sydney Fox and Dennis Nguimdoh 

Impromptu Speaking
First place: Bobby McCurdy

Storytelling
First place: Rachel Coughlin
Fourth place: Sophie Fields 

Serious Dramatic Interpretation
First place: Ryan Chapman

Poetry
First place: Madison Bare
Second place: Alecia Moore

Serious Duo Interpretation
First place: Mandy Powers and Cullen Herter

All third-place-and-better finishers will advance to Region II competition Feb. 23 at John Champe High School.