FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A team representing the University of Arkansas School of Law advanced to the semifinal round of the National Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition held last week in Denver.

The team, composed of third-year members Eddie Key and Kalandra Wheeler, both of Longview, Texas, and second-year students Leon Jones Jr. of Pine Bluff, Ark., and Steven Moses of Arlington, Texas, won their preliminary and quarterfinal rounds of trials to advance to the final four. Arkansas lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Temple University which defeated 2004 champion Loyola University of Chicago for the championship.

The UA team had previously defeated Loyola in the regional competition final in January to secure their berth in this year’s national event. This is the first year that students from the UA Law School entered the Thurgood Marshall competition.

The team was coached by Mike Mullane of the law school faculty and Washington County Circuit Judges Mary Ann Gunn and Mike Mashburn.