Eastern Kentucky University’s Mock Trial Team finished fifth in the National Championship Tournament, held April 17-19 in Des Moines, Iowa.

It was the best finish of an EKU team in the program’s history, as the Eastern squad beat teams from Yale University, Columbia University, Rhodes College, New York University, the University of Michigan, Syracuse University, the University of Richmond, and others.

Kristeena Winkler, Richmond, was named an All-American Attorney, and James Pennington, Manchester, was named an All-American Witness.

“The honor indicates that these two students are among the top twenty individual performers in their categories in the nation,” said the team’s adviser, Dr. Sara Zeigler, noting that Pennington tied with another competitor for top-ranked witness in the country.

Other team members were: Katrina Winkler, Richmond; Will Foster, Syracuse, N.Y.; Karen Owens, Tyner; Zac Caldwell, Elizabethtown; Ashley Barber, Ashland; Steve Kilburn, Cincinnati; and Ally Sipes, Mt. Sterling.

Other coaches for the team are Tom Parker and Lynnette Noblitt.

Financial contributions came from the President’s Office, College of Arts & Sciences, Vice President for Student Affairs, College of Justice & Safety, Student Government Association, Distinguished Alumnus Robert Sanders and EKU faculty member Richard Fern.