An Illinois State University mock trial team placed seventh in a field of 53 teams competing at the 30th annual National Invitational Tournament. The tournament, hosted by Loras College in the last week of January, is one of the largest and longest running invitationals in the country.
This season ISU is fielding two six-member mock trial squads. Squad 1123 garnered a 6-2 record. Squad 1124 went 3-5. Redbirds competed against teams from the University of Iowa; Cornell College; DePaul University; Morningside University; Loyola University; Carleton College; Wheaton College and Hamline University. The winner of the event was Cornell College.
The tournament named ISU senior Myles McLean one of ten outstanding attorneys. McLean was recognized in his role of defending a client accused of attempted murder. He gave the closing argument for the defense.
Members of Squad 1123 include McLean, Tara Klein, Michael Sheldon, Ann Stranges, Kelly Franklin, and A.J. Blodgett. Lilian Alexandrova, C.J. DeButch, Olivia Smallwood, Nick Gab, Ethan Lyons, and Tameka Newman are the members of Squad 1124. Ten of the twelve team members are either Legal Studies or Political Science majors.
The next competition for the team is the American Mock Trial Regional Tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
