The Ball State Individual Events Team, more commonly known as the Speech Team, placed ninth out of more than 80 schools at the National Forensic Association's National Tournament April 14-17 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

This marks the second consecutive year the team has finished in the top ten; the team finished seventh overall last year. The team also placed third in its division at this year's tournament, where they were ranked among schools with a similar number of entries. 

Students who made it to the semifinals and finals at the tournament include: Ryan Lauth and Jason Maldonado, semifinalists in Duo Interpretation; Jeremey Arnold, semifinalist in Extemporaneous Speaking; and Jason Maldonado, semifinalist in Poetry Interpretation and finalist in Prose Interpretation, placing 5th in the nation.

Other students competing in the tournament include: Abby Norman, Kyleen Ammerman, Nicole Lengerich, John Olson, Cassie Thullen, Ashley McFalls and Trent McFalls.

The team is coached by Mary Moore and Tracy Vittone, faculty members in the Department of Communication Studies, and assisted by graduate student coaches Casey Wikstrom and Christian Norman.