Brianna Diaz
  • Criminal Justice and Theology
  • Class of 2016
  • Joliet, IL

Joliet Resident Brianna Diaz Finishes In Top Ten of National Mediation Championship

2012 Dec 19

Brianna Diaz of Joliet is on the Lewis University Mediation team that brought home success again this year at the National Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament held at Brenau University. At the national championship competition, Lewis University earned eighth place in Advocate/Client and 10th place in Mediation, both team events. For the second consecutive year, Lewis University Advocacy/Client team placed in the top ten at the national competition. This year's team was comprised of Cary Hansing, Cody Currin, Matt Vasquez and Brianna Diaz. Last year, the team earned second place honors. It was Curin's second time earning All-American honors.

Three All-American awards were earned by Lewis University Mediation team members. Cary Hansing won All-American honors in two categories; Mediation and Advocacy/Client. Matt Vasquez, a first year-transfer member of the team, also made All American in Attorney/Client.

Other Mediation team members competing in the tournament were, Olivia Estrada, Bridgette Ferreira, Jake Garringer, Sean Lenckus, Shannon Lukowski, Ben Pavur, Kathleen Skinner and Tiffany Wasilewski.

Brianna is a Sophmore studying Criminal Justice at Lewis University.

Other schools competing in the competition were: Drake University, Boston University, Cameron University, Gainesville State College, University of Dubuque, University of Sioux Falls, Loras College, Texas Wesleyan University, University of San Diego, University of Texas at Dallas, Principia College and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. James Houlihan, professor and director of the Pre-Law program at Lewis University, is the head coach of the team. Angela Henderson of Angela Henderson, PC in Joliet, Lewis University 2012 alumna Jennifer Merzlock of Angela Henderson, PC in Joliet, and Lewis University 2008 alumnus Joseph Volin of Lewis University are coaches. Contact Dr. James Houlihan at (815) 836-5313 or houlihja@lewisu.edu to learn more about the academic teams at Lewis University.

This year's success follows the team's outstanding accomplishments in the 2011 national championships. The Lewis team earned second place in Advocacy, losing the national championship by one point. Along with top national rankings, the team produced six All-Americans in Advocacy, with one member also achieving All-American in Mediation. The collective number of individual awards exceeded any other school in the championship.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit http://www.lewisu.edu for further information.