The University of Wisconsin – Superior mock trial team took fourth place at this weekend’s American Mock Trial Association Durst Memorial Upper Midwest Regional tournament hosted at UWS’s Yellowjacket union.

The 11-member team had five wins, two losses and a tie in competition against 19 other teams. This fourth place win means that the team will advance to the Opening Championship tournament in St. Paul.

This year has brought new challenges to the mock trial team. They suffered a loss of participants from last year. Normally the team has two teams of eight people, but this year was reduced down to one team of 11 people.

“We’re in a rebuilding year, so we have a lot of new people. But they’re talented people,” said Mary Russel, one of the team’s three coaches.

Aside from snagging a fourth place team trophy, three team members won individual awards. Both Christine Eidmann and Kayannda Davis won outstanding witness awards. Erik Albertson won an outstanding attorney award.

The team has been practicing together since September and will continue to work through March. They have participated in five invites so far.

Russel says that mock trial is not only about competition, but can give students a leg up when continuing their education.

“It develops skills in constructing and analyzing arguments. And it builds self-confidence and public speaking skills. Many past students got accepted to law school, including myself. There’s no better experience,” said Russel.