With wins at two final tournaments, Howard Payne University’s Moot Court team ends its fall 2017 season undefeated. The team’s win at the last tournament of the fall secured HPU’s spot in the American Moot Court Association’s national competition to be held in January at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law.

“HPU will be one of the top-seeded teams at nationals and well set for success after an undefeated season,” said Lorianna Kelley, assistant professor of government and Moot Court adviser.

Teammates Jordan Hahn, sophomore from Burnet, and Isaac Sommers, senior from Boerne, were named tournament champions at the St. Mary’s School of Law Invitational Tournament in October as well as at the Texas A&M University School of Law Regional Tournament in November.

At the October tournament, Hahn and Sommers defeated a team from Baylor University to win the tournament in the finals and teammates Justin Harris, senior from Fort Worth, and Bailey Myler, junior from Brownwood, were named octofinalists. HPU competitors were also recognized for their individual speaking skills. Myler was the overall seventh-best speaker, Hahn placed second and Sommers was the top speaker at the tournament.

Thirty-one teams competed at the regional tournament in November, representing 13 schools from across the country. HPU faced multiple schools, including the United States Air Force Academy, Texas A&M University, Sam Houston State University and the University of Louisiana. Hahn and Sommers again defeated a team from Baylor University to be named tournament champions.

In addition to winning the tournament, Sommers was the seventh overall speaker and Hahn was the ninth. Harris and Myler attended the tournament and were in the top 50% for speaker points.

“The teams have worked so hard this year, refining arguments and practicing multiple times each week,” said Kelley. “Once again, their hard work has paid off, and they continue to impress lawyers and judges from across the state.”