The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Mock Trial Team finished second at the South regional Opening Round Championship Series tournament, qualifying for the American Mock Trial Association’s National Championship tournament. The Blazers defeated the University of Georgia, Portland State University and Middle Tennessee State University. Their only loss was against the tournament winner and three time past national champion Rhodes College.
Grady Lowman and Ariel Smith won individual awards for their roles in the competition. Other UAB team members include Brian Price, Kimberly Jeter, Valencia Jackson, Yamini Bhat, Ali Massoud, Thor Christianson, Priyanka Patel, and Dhvanil Zaveri.
UAB is a past Mock Trial national champion and has qualified for the national tournament 12 of the past 15 years. The Blazers rank among the top 10 percent of teams nationwide. The tournament in Minneapolis begins Friday, April 13, 2012.