UC Irvine's Mock Trial team placed second in the nation at the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) National Championship Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa April 15.

The weekend marked the team's most successful finish in its seven year history.

Going into the 2012-13 season, the Anteater team will be ranked number one in the country by AMTA.

Senior physics major Ryan Cardenas won his second All-American Witness Award and senior political science major Neil Thakore took home his seventh attorney award.

"I am immensely proud of our students," said Justin Bernstein, UCI Mock Trial head coach. "They exceeded all expectations, responded to every challenge and overcame every setback. They represented UCI with passion and poise.”