UMD News: February 23, 2001

Communication Associate: Public Relations | Lori Melton | lmelton@d.umn.edu | (218) 726-8830

February 23, 2001
Susan Beasy Latto, Director of Public Relations 218 726-8830
Craig Grau, Assoc. Professor of Political Science 218 726-8281

UMD Mock Trial Team Qualifies for National Tournament

Two Local Attorneys Assist as Trial Coaches

The UMD Mock Trial Team has qualified for the Mock Trial Team National Championship Tournament set for March 30, 31 and April 1 in Des Moines, Iowa. The UMD team will be one of sixty-four teams competing in the national competition after having placed third in the regional tournament held at Macalester College February 17 and 18.

Individual student awards were given to UMD students Lee Havemeir of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and Christina Hahn of Mahtomedi, Minnesota for "Best Student Witness", and to Heidi Weinzetl of Duluth, Minnesota for "Best Attorney".

Two Duluth attorneys volunteered their time to coach the team, along with UMD faculty coaches Political Science Associate Professor Craig Grau and Political Science Instructor David Pogue. Volunteer Duluth attorneys are Sean Quinn (from the firm of Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Quinn) and Diana Bouschor Dodge (from the firm of Andresen, Haag, Paciotti & Butterworth). Quinn has worked with the UMD team for seven years, and Bouschor Dodge has assisted for three years.

The mock trial centered on a fictional civil suit involving a high altitude climbing death. Dr. Lorentz Wittmers Jr. of the UMD School of Medicine aided the team with his knowledge of pulmonary illnesses.

The UMD Mock Trial Team is raising funds to assist with the cost of the trip to the national tournament. A donation has been received from the law firm of Halverson, Watters, Downs, Reylets & Bateman. For more information, or to make a contribution, please contact: Associate Professor Craig Grau at the UMD Department of Political Science, 304 Cina Hall, 10 University Drive, Duluth, MN 55812, 218 726-8281.

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