The mock trial team competed in the American Mock Trial Association’s National Championship this weekend. After four rounds, the team placed 12th overall in its division. In March the team competed in the regional tournament at Lafayette College. The team placed second overall in the regional competition, earning them a direct bid to the national championship at Stetson University in St. Petersburg, Fla. The team’s showing places the mock trial team among the top 5 percent of teams in the country. There are currently 559 teams in the nation.Seniors Michael Shiposh, Brian Judge and Matthew Hofmeister led the team to their first success in a national championship. Team members juniors Ashley Lynam and Kevin McAloon and sophomores John Marty, Andrew Milano and Joe Martyn also contributed to the team’s achievement. The team is coached by Arthur “Buzz” Shuman, Richard Michaelson and Brian Collins. Penn law student Brian Collins also assumes a coaching role. Collins founded the team four years ago and has guided members from its infancy to its current position. Since the beginning of the school year, the team members have worked together to prepare and present a civil liability case provided by the American Mock Trial Association. The team members spent time preparing the case, learning the Federal Rules of Evidence and organizing a team strategy. Mock Trial members are required to know the rules of evidence, practice courtroom etiquette and interact in a trial advocacy program during competitions. Next year, Villanova’s Mock Trial Association will be led by Ashley Lynam and Kevin McAloon. Team members say they are looking forward to a promising 2007-’08 competition year.