Things are getting intense in the mock trial world as the invitational season comes to a close. The Undergraduate Mock Trial teams at the U of A have had an impressive end to their fall semester, and they're putting their noses to the grindstone for the competitive spring season.

The teams competed in three final tournaments this semester, and the results spell out a promising spring season. Teams Plankton and Squidward traveled to Springfield, Missouri, to compete in Missouri State's Bear Brawl Invitational. Team Patrick traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, to compete in the Derek Moorhead and Irene Downs Memorial Invitational at the University of Missouri Kansas City, and Team Sandy traveled to Iowa City, Iowa, to compete in the Cornshucker Challenge at the University of Iowa. 

Starting in November, Teams Plankton and Squidward traveled to Springfield, Missouri, for the Bear Brawl Classic. Team Plankton's Trinity Tipton received an outstanding attorney award with 18 ranks; Katie Harden received an outstanding witness award with 17 ranks, and Jaxon Preissinger received a perfect 20 rank witness award. From Team Squidward, Mariam Abboud received an outstanding attorney award with 17 ranks. 

Later that November, Team Patrick's 5-3 record earned them an honorable mention at the UMKC invitational. Charis Morasch rounded things out with an 18-rank attorney award for her role on the team. 

Finally, this past weekend, Team Sandy drove up to Iowa City, Iowa, for the Cornshucker Challenge. Contrary to the name, this is another mock trial tournament! Team Sandy had impressively close margins with tough teams including Miami University, and they will be bringing what they've learned here to the spring competitions. 

Make sure to congratulate all of our members for their hard work and dedication to this program, if you see them on campus! They've been working tirelessly the past few weeks to represent the U of A well!

The U of A Mock Trial team is a trial simulation-based RSO that competes in tournaments across the nation. Tryouts are held at the beginning of the fall semester.