Three years after two Harvard first-years founded the College's Mock Trial team, this year's squad placed in the top 10 at the national championship tournament last weekend.

Sunday in Des Moines, Iowa, the Harvard team, which won its regional competition in February, competed against 63 other regional winners and took sixth place, according to team member Laura E. Rosenbaum '00, who is a Crimson editor.

Harvard's seven-member team sent both attorneys and witnesses to participate in the championships. Attorney teams prepare both sides of a fictional civil case, and are judged on the persuasiveness of their case and their knowledge of the law.

Witnesses are judged on their knowledge of their character's testimony and their ability to react to the attorneys' questions in character.

Marvin B. Tagaban '00 was the recipient of the All-American Witness Award for being one of the best witness in the competition and got to compete in the All-American Trial, a final showcase featuring the best participants.

Other members of the team included Steven C. Wu '02, Hugh P. Liebert '01, Christopher G. Swart '00, Lauren A. Wetzler '00 and Tanya L. Barnes '00.

Barnes and Wetzler founded the team during their first year at Harvard.

Wetzler said she feels the mock trial team provides practical trial experience for students who may wish to pursue a career in law.

"It helps build teamwork and skills of trial advocacy. I think mock trial provides students who are interested with real courtroom experience," Wetzler said.