UW-Superior Mock Trial team qualifies for national competition

A University of Wisconsin-Superior Mock Trial team placed fourth in the Hamline Regional tournament, earning a berth in the opening round of championship competition next month in Illinois.

UWS’ Black Team earned six wins and two losses in a highly competitive field of 22 teams.

UWS’ Alex Rafael earned a perfect 20 points in the tournament to win the coveted Outstanding Attorney award on the prosecution side. Kyle Johnson won Outstanding Witness honors.

Mock Trial is an academic forensic activity that teaches students how to analyze the law and facts of a case, and to argue and present cases in a trial court. Many of the participating students are majoring in legal studies or criminal justice programs.

UWS belongs to the American Mock Trial Association and is among more than 350 universities in the country that take part in mock trial competition.

All of UWS’ team members earned Outstanding Attorney or Outstanding Witness individual nominations during at least one round of competition. Members of the Black Team include Jeff Anderson, Brandt Devich, Stacey Peterson Rootes, Jordin Gegare, Kelsey German, Yer Vang and Cassandra Foltz.

Members of the Gold Team finished with three wins and five losses and included Kyle Johnson, Cody Chaffee, Trevar Hill, Matt Munkelwitz, Alex Rafael, Jessica Schubring and Katlyn Shipley

UWS’ Black Team advances to the Opening Round Championship Series ORCS Tournament set for March 8-10 in Waukegan, Ill. That tournament brings together top teams from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan to compete for six coveted slots to the National Mock Trial tournament in Washington D.C. in April.

The mock trial teams are coached by Maria Cuzzo of UWS’ legal studies program; Tracy Schramm of Geraghy, O’Loughlin and Keeney Law Firm; Mark Fruehauf of Maki, Durst, Ledin & Bick, S.C; and Julie Johnson Benfield, court clerk in the 6th Judicial District. Schramm and Benfield are mock trial alumni from UWS who are now practicing attorneys.

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