Bellarmine University’s mock trial team is competing in the American Mock Trial Association’s Opening Round Championship Series this weekend. The competition -- hosted by the University of Dayton in  Hamilton, Ohio -- takes place today through Sunday. “The team has been preparing for this amazing opportunity by practicing during spring break," said sophomore communications major Trey Grevious, a member of the team. "Many people came back to Louisville early or those who were already in Louisville practiced practically every night. Once we all reconnected after spring break, we worked hard in a group and on our own. Hopefully that shows this weekend!”  They qualified for the opening round after receiving an open bid at the regional tournament that they hosted in mid-February. Bellarmine is one of seven colleges advancing from regionals to the championship series. The top five teams at each opening round championship event, along with three teams with open bids from across the nation, will advance to a national championship tournament next month in Philadelphia, according to the American Mock Trial Association's website.  A team from Bellarmine won the national championship in 1999. “What I’m looking forward to the most from Opening Round Championship Series is the team bonding," said Grevious. "Our team bonds and supports each other the most during a round in competition, because we fight together no matter what function a person is doing, and we always support and help each other in the best way we can. During the breaks, we always go outside and give each other a pep talk to make sure we all walk back into the courtroom in the best frame of mind.” Article by Molly Jett, intern in Bellarmine's Office of Marketing and Communications.