GREENVILLE, S.C.—-Furman University’s mock trial team placed seventh out of 32 teams in its division at the National Championship Tournament in Minneapolis, Minn., this week.  The team rounded out its outstanding season with a 5-3 record.  This is the 11th consecutive year Furman has placed in the top 10 in the National Championship Tournament.

      The Paladins took both ballots from Hamline University, this year’s tournament host.  The team also won both ballots from the University of California-Irvine, split ballots with Northwood University, and lost both ballots to the University of Michigan.

      This top-ten finishing team was led by seniors Matt Kuhn from Mocksville, N.C. and Leah Branch from Sewickley, Pa. Other members of Furman’s elite team include Ben Adams, a senior from Taylors, S.C.; Ameer Armaly, a freshman from Mauldin, SC; Wes Carson, a senior from Simpsonville, S.C.; Meredith Dempsey, a sophomore from Lexington, S.C.; Renee Keisacker, a freshman from Temple, Fl.; Chad McLain, a senior from Spartanburg, S.C.; Jason Novak, a junior from Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; and Mike Rafi, a senior from Middletown, N.J.

      Furman’s team is coached by Furman alumni Steven Buckingham, Allie Bullard, David Koysza, Leigh Booth Paoletti, D. Brad Rustin and R. Doug Webb.  Political science professor Glen Halva-Neubauer coordinates the university’s mock trial program.

      For more information, contact Glen Halva-Neubauer at (864) 294-3608.

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