The Mock Trial Team finished an impressive sixth place at the 10th Annual UCLA Sunset Strip Invitational Competition (UCLASSIC) on Jan. 16-18. The competition drew more than 40 teams and 350 students from some of the best universities in the country, including Yale, Brown, Columbia, UCLA, USC, Stanford, UC Berkeley and Northwestern. Cal Poly Pomona was one of two CSU campuses to participate.

Liz Gonzalez, who played a prosecution attorney and witness for the defense, won an Outstanding Witness Award. Gonzalez earned the award with the highest and most coveted score of 20-ranks. 

Cal Poly Pomona’s mock trial team also includes: Chris Montoya, Adrienne Mendoza, Mark Arranz, Rikki Aiton, James Speights and Leah Rayvon. They also captured votes for best attorney and/or best witness. 

The top 10 teams at UCLASSIC are: UC Berkeley, Northwestern, UCLA, Columbia-A, UCI, Cal Poly Pomona, Miami, Brown, Columbia-B and Fresno State.

The team’s next challenge is the Regional American Mock Trial Association Tournament on Feb. 20-21 in Los Angeles.