Lewis University Mock Trial Team gets 14th national bid

The Lewis University Mock Trial Team has earned a bid to the national American Mock Trial Association tournament for the 14th time in less than 20 years. The Lewis team will compete in the Opening Round Championship March 14-16 at Washington University in St. Louis - Danforth Campus. Competing on the Lewis University team at nationals will be Megan Arehart, Ray Banda, David DeSchepper, Maggie Huggins, Michael Noe, Ashley Patek, Martin Romo, Anthony Scorzo, Kat Skinner and Erica Swanberg. Lewis University's A Team earned a 10th place finish in regionals, the eighteenth Top Ten regional finish for the two squads on the Lewis University Mock Trial Team. Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President, praised the team's remarkable record, noting the dedication of its members through the years. "Mock Trial team members are to be commended for extending the Team's fine record and for balancing their academic studies with the demanding schedule for Mock Trial which requires study, preparation, practice, critical analysis and performance," he said. Each of the Top Ten teams at the Joliet Regional qualified for nationals, including Lewis University, the University of Chicago (Teams A and B), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Teams A and B), Washington University in St. Louis (Team A), Northwestern University (Team A), Luther College (Team A), St. Norbert College (Team A), and the University of Illinois Chicago (Team A). The Lewis University A Team beat Grinnell College (Team A) and University of Minnesota Twin Cities (Team A) in regionals, lost to UIC Team A and split with Loyola University (Team A), knocking them out of a top ten finish and qualifying for nationals. Members of the Lewis University Regional Team A included Megan Arehart, David DeSchepper, Audrey Donovan, Maggie Huggins, Amber Milliron, Martin Romo, Anthony Scorzo and Kat Skinner. Lewis University's Anthony Scorzo earned Outstanding Attorney Award at the regional competition. David DeSchepper was one point away from earning the honor, while Michael Noe was two points away. "The B Team finished with the toughest schedule. They gave Michigan their only loss of the competition. The B Team has had tough competition all season long," Head Coach Dr. James Houlihan, professor of of Justice, Law and Public Safety Studies and advisor of the Pre-Law program, commented. All four teams that Team B played against earned national bids. Members of the Lewis University Regional B Team included Ray Banda, Larry Beyer, Darrell Boisdorf, Cedelle Kupfer-Escobedo, Michael Noe, Ashley Patek and Erica Swanberg. To view these students click here: http://lewisu.meritpages.com/achievements/Lewis-University-Mock-Trial-Team-gets-14th-national-bid/21393