2026 WINTER PLAYOFFS

Ashleigh delivers a confident, well-paced STARTT response that flows smoothly from beginning to end while clearly following the framework in sequence. She does an excellent job expanding on her individual responsibility within the story, providing thoughtful detail that helps the listener understand both her ownership and the broader team context. Subtle smiles throughout the response also create a warm, approachable tone that keeps the delivery engaging and authentic. 

The structure and clarity make this a strong postseason-caliber performance. One area for refinement is tightening certain portions of the response, as moments of extra detail can occasionally make the delivery sound slightly rehearsed—but overall this was a very strong and polished showing.

Rayna delivers a confident and clearly articulated response with strong volume and a natural conversational tone that makes her story easy to follow. She does an excellent job applying the ESPY framework, particularly when describing her early exposure to investment banking through the Notre Dame Leadership Seminars, where she first explored the fundamentals of finance. Rayna also strengthens her narrative by highlighting her role in MAP’s case competition, reinforcing her personal commitment to learning more about IB.

The overall structure and clarity make this a strong postseason-caliber performance. One area for improvement is maintaining steadier eye contact, as her eyes occasionally shift to the left and right, which can create the impression that she may be referencing notes—but overall this was a polished and thoughtful response.