KU News Release

KU mock trial team to compete at national tournament

LAWRENCE — The mock trial team at the University of Kansas has earned the opportunity to compete at the national level.

KU students placed second out of 30 teams at the regional mock trial tournament held in February at Washburn University in Topeka, which qualified them for a spot at the National Championship Tournament.

The national tournament will take place April 13-15 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Sixty-four of the best teams in the nation will participate.

Mock trial is an intercollegiate competition in which six- to eight-person teams carry out the proceedings of a full trial in only three hours. Students participate as attorneys and witnesses, engaging in all the typical actions related to a trial.

KU’s team is coached by Branden Bell, a 2005 graduate of the KU School of Law who received a bachelor’s degree in political science from KU in spring 2002.

On March 16, the Kansas State House of Representatives officially recognized the KU mock trial team for its outstanding accomplishments.

Mock Trial team members are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names and high school.

FRANKLIN COUNTY
From Ottawa 66067
Taylor Wiles, junior in political science, son of Stanley and Janet Wiles; Ottawa High School.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66206
Claire Haflich, sophomore in pre-law, daughter of Gregory and Joan Haflich; Shawnee Mission East High School.

From Olathe 66062
Caitlin Davies, senior in linguistics and religious studies, daughter of Carolyn Elrod; Olathe South High School.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Leavenworth 66048
Brian Palmer, sophomore in political science, son of Clifford and Deb Palmer; Leavenworth Senior High School.

ARIZONA
From Gilbert 85233
Brenton Cheeks, senior in English and political science, son of Buddy and Joni Cheeks; Mesquite High School.

ILLINOIS
From Bethalto 62010
Kaleigh Bassett, senior in European studies and history, daughter of Lynn Bassett; Civic Memorial High School.

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