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3L Matt Gilpin, 3L Matt Giadrosich, 2L Daniel Clanton and 3L Ashlea Almond competed in the Lone Star Classic mock trial competition and were the only Texas team to advance to the semi-finals.

Texas Wesleyan School of Law’s mock trial team won 3-0 rounds against South Texas, SMU, and Baylor to become semi-finalists in the 2009 Lone Star Classic National Mock Trial Invitational.

The Lone Star Classic is an invitational mock trial competition hosted by St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio and is widely considered among the most competitive mock trial tournaments in the nation. Invited to this year’s competition were: Baylor, Brooklyn, Campbell, Catholic University, Cumberland, Faulkner, Fordham, Florida State, University of Houston, LSU, Michigan State, Pace, SMU, South Texas, Texas Wesleyan, Villanova and Wake Forest.

Texas Wesleyan’s team, consisting of 3L Ashlea Almond, 2L Daniel Clanton, 3L Matt Giadrosich  and 3L Matt Gilpin, was the only Texas team advancing to the semi-final rounds, joining Villanova (last year’s winner), Fordham University and Faulkner. At the semi-final round, Texas Wesleyan narrowly lost a 2-1 ballot to Fordham University. Faulkner defeated Villanova, advancing both Fordham and Faulker into the final round.

“The tireless commitment shown by these students was impressive,” Vince Cruz, Jr., advocacy director and coach for this team, said. “These students demonstrated the work ethic, eye for detail, and fundamental skill sets needed to succeed as really good trial attorneys in the real world. I’m very proud of these students and am particularly excited to see Texas Wesleyan’s advocacy programs be so competitive nationally.”