Lewis University Mock Trial team earned two bids to participate in the American Mock Trial Association National Tournament through their success in the regional tournament, held February 20-21 at the Will County Court House in Joliet. Lewis teams took both fourth and eight places in the tournament. The regional competition brought together 24 teams from 17 colleges and universities.

University of Michigan won first place in the tournament followed by Loyola University Chicago in second. North Central College earned third place, one of Lewis University’s teams finished in fourth, University of Chicago placed fifth and sixth, University of Notre Dame came in seventh, and another Lewis University team took eighth place.

In seven of eight tournaments this year, Lewis University has had at least one of its teams place among the Top Five. Lewis next competes in the opening round of the national competition March 14-16 at Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, Ill.

“Mock Trial requires rigorous academic preparation, many hours of practice, critical thinking and skilled performance,” commented Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President. “As such, it will provide an excellent foundation for those participating in their future careers.”

Members of the Lewis team that took fourth place include: Captain Summer Hallaj, Captain Jackie Devitt, Michael Park, Jack Catalano, Derek Frommel, Cary Hansing, Chezare Bingham, and Cassandra Myers. Eighth-place team members include Captain Venus Wardlow, Captain Breana Bingham, Grant Anderson, Angela Cotta, Ashley Ellis, Denise Ferrusquia, Daniel Giron, Matt Kratky, Sean Lenckus, and Lynette Wilson.

Six Lewis University students earned individual awards for All Regional Witness at the tournament: Summer Hallaj, Cary Hansing, Chezare Bingham, Angela Cotta, Matt Kratky and Lynette Wilson. Summer and Cary received their awards at the Regionals ceremony from Brother Gaffney.

Lewis University’s head coach Dr. James Houlihan, director of Lewis University Pre-Law program, stated, “The regional competition was very challenging and our students were outstanding. We are very proud to have two teams going to nationals.”

Coaches for the Mock Trial Team include Dr. Houlihan, Brandi Sanders, John Senese of the Peter Francis Geraci Law Offices in Chicago, and Bill Rock of Block Klukas & Manzella Law Firm in Joliet. For additional information, please contact Dr. Houlihan at (815) 836-5313.

A Catholic university sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis offers nearly 80 undergraduate majors and programs of study, accelerated degree completion options for working adults, various aviation programs and 22 graduate programs in nine fields. The ninth largest private, not-for-profit university in Illinois is being honored for the sixth consecutive year by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.