John A. Cassese Director of Forensics Dan West said placing in the top 10 has been the team's goal since he joined the program four years ago. West says it's amazing that the team went from having one returning member his first year coaching at Ohio University to ranking in the top10 four years later. The event was hosted by the University of Akron, April 3-6.

"It's so cool to be top 10; there's no other word for it," he said. "To have a team that is this talented this quickly is amazing. When they started the countdown from 20 and reached 11th without saying Ohio University, we were all excited -  this is what we have been working for."

Dean Gregory J. Shepherd of the Scripps College of Communication is pleased with the team's rise in national standings and calls it one of the college's top recruiting tools. He believes West has played a large role in the team's rapid ascent.

"It's been a pleasure to see the team consistently make headlines over the past four years as they have improved quickly under Dan's tutelage," Shepherd said. "Dan's genuine excitement and full confidence in the team members have enabled the team to dream big and follow through in making Ohio University a well-known name on the national collegiate forensics scene."

In addition, junior Dan Glaser was named national champion in Communication Analysis -- his third national title this year. Glaser won his other two national titles at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament in March for After-Dinner Speaking and Legislative Debate.

"This third national title really means a lot to me," Glaser said. "The AFA and the NFA are by far the most difficult national tournaments at which to do well, and it feels really good to see my hard work, and the hard work of my team and coaches, pay off."

With Glaser's placing, team members have earned a total of five national titles this season. The other national titles came at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament when first-year student Jeremy Frazer and sophomore Tony Sylvester won for Dramatic Duo and a group won for Reader's Theater.

The team is currently competing in the National Forensics Association Individual Events Tournament in Springfield, Mo.

Complete results from the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament are as follows:

Individual Sweepstakes

13th Place - Dan Glaser

Team Sweepstakes

10th Place - Ohio University

Communication Analysis

National Champion - Dan Glaser

Dramatic Interpretation

Quarter Finalist - Nadine Ajaka

Extemporaneous Speaking

2nd Place - Dan Glaser

Quarter Finalist - Ted Dacey

Informative Speaking

6th Place - Dan Glaser

Semi Finalist - Mike Catlos

Quarter Finalist - Daniel Leister

Persuasive Speaking

Semi Finalist - Ted Dacey

Prose Interpretation

Quarter Finalist - Dani Bernat