EKU Mock Trial Team

Another major success for the Mock Trial team! Eastern Kentucky University’s mock trial team finished ninth in the National Championship Tournament, held in Minneapolis, Minn., April 4-6, beating out several nationally prominent competitors.

From left to right: Zac Caldwell, Karen Owens, Kristeena Winkler, Tony Listermann, Katrina Winkler, Seth Reeves, Miranda Westbrook, Jessica Spencer, Dale Perry

Only the top 10 percent of teams nationwide qualified for the event. The EKU squad finished ahead of teams from the UCLA, Penn State, Georgetown University, Boston University, Brandeis, Notre Dame, the University of Virginia, Cornell, Northwestern, Rhodes and Stanford, among others.

“We actually met Princeton, Brandeis, Harvard and the University of Tennessee in rounds, winning one ballot from Princeton (which won the second ballot) and losing only to Harvard, which ended up in second place,” said Dr. Sara Zeigler, faculty adviser for the EKU team. “Obviously, this was a very elite group of teams. (The EKU team) did a fantastic job.”

From left to right: Kristeena Winkler, Tony Listermann, Katrina Winkler

In fact, Zeigler called it “the best performance at a championship tournament by an EKU team in the program’s history,” adding, “I am extremely proud of the students and grateful for the support provided by the University.”

Members of the EKU team are Kristeena and Katrina Winkler, Richmond; Zac Caldwell, Elizabethtown; Tony Listermann, Cincinnati; Karen Owens, Tyner; Seth Reeves, Corbin; Jessica Spencer, Mount Olivet; Dale Perry, Stamping Ground; and Miranda Westbrook, Villa Hills. The students comprise several different academic majors, and four are members of the University’s Honors Program.

Other coaches for the team are Tom Parker and Lynnette Noblitt.

Support for travel to the Championship was provided by the College of Arts and Science and the Honors Program.

Support for travel to the event was provided by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Honors Program. Additional support is provided by the College of Justice & Safety.

From left to right: Zac Caldwell, Karen Owens Seth Reeves	From left to right: Kristeena Winkler, Tony Listermann, Katrina Winkler