They have done it again. For the sixth year in a row, the Ball State Speech Team has placed in the top 10 schools at the National Forensic Association national tournament.
The team, lead by co-captains Mariann Fant and Dayna Arnett, finished sixth against 76 other schools at the NFA national tournament.
“I am incredibly proud of the legacy of the Ball State Speech Team,” said coach Mary Moore, an instructor of communication studies. “Our repeated success speaks volumes about our alumni, coaches and current students who dedicate countless hours perfecting their speeches and performances."
The team submitted 60 individual entries and advanced 25 to elimination rounds.
Individual accomplishments included:
Dayna Arnett, senior biochemistry and pre-medicine major
- Third place in Persuasive Speaking
- Quarterfinalist in Rhetorical Criticism
- Octafinalist in Extemporaneous Speaking
- Octafinalist in Dramatic Interpretation
Mariann Fant, sophomore communication studies major
- National champion in Rhetorical Criticism
- Semifinalist in Poetry Interpretation
- Quarterfinalist in Informative Speaking
- Octafinalist in After Dinner Speaking
Ethan Gomez, sophomore telecommunications and creative writing major
- National runner-up in Novice Dramatic Interpretation
- Fourth place in Novice Poetry Interpretation
Cade Heaton, sophomore political science and philosophy major
- Fifth place in Impromptu Speaking
Levi Jones, freshman marketing and economics major
- Quarterfinalist in Informative Speaking
Zoe Lawson, freshman philosophy major
- Quarterfinalist in Impromptu Speaking
- Octafinalist in Extemporaneous Speaking
- Octafinalist in Persuasive Speaking
Marissa Lockhart, freshman creative writing major
- National champion in Novice Poetry Interpretation
- Octafinalist in Prosen Interpretation
Megan Melton, senior journalism major
- Octafinalist in Poetry Interpretation
Riley Poynter, sophomore public relations major
- Octafinalist in After Dinner Speaking
Jessica Ratel-Khan, junior communication studies major
- Octafinalist in Extemporanous Speaking
- Octafinalist in Rhetorical Criticism
Gabe Rudolph, junior communications major
- Octafinalist in Persuasive Speaking
- Octafinalist in Poetry Interpretation
Lily Schwab, sophomore theater directing major
- Semifinalist in Dramatic Interpretation
- Octafinalist in Poetry Interpretation
Sarah Martin, a sophomore English education major, and Rachel Brooks, a sophomore deaf education major, also represented Ball State in preliminary rounds.
With the competition season beginning in early September, the team has worked hard the past couple of months, traveling to tournaments and preparing for national-level competitions.
“It feels incredible to be a part of the leadership that helped propel the team to a top-ten finish,” Arnett said. “I am incredibly proud of this team and the hard work they put into this sixth-place finish.”
For now, the team will spend the rest of the school year catching up on work missed while they were gone for a week at the national tournament and begin looking for topics and scripts for next year, Moore said.
“The 2016-17 team is one of our best teams we've had in recent history,” she said. “These are serious students who are ambitious and willing to work towards their goals. They have impressed judges across the country and continually surprise the coaching staff with their talents.”
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