The NIU Mock Trial team will proceed to the American Mock Trial Association National Championship Tournament on Friday at the Kane County Courthouse in Geneva.

The Mock Trial team made university history by going undefeated after its victory last month during the American Mock Trial Association regional competition. Mitch Pickerill, associate professor of political science, said the key to the team’s success was its chemistry.

“It’s a team sport like athletics; you have to know how to work hard and work together,” said Pickerill, who is also the founder of the team. “They’re like my second family.”

Other teams competing in national tournament include Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame and the University of Michigan.