Furman Mock Trial

GREENVILLE, S.C.— The Paladins competed at two tournaments November 20-21, the Great American Mock Trial Invitational, hosted by the University of Virginia in Washington, D.C., and the Owl Classic hosted by Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia.  The Great American is the most elite tournament of the fall semester; only programs that have gone to the national championship tournament are even eligible for an invitation to this tournament.  Unlike most tournaments, three judges score at the Great American tournament, introducing even more subjectivity into an already supremely subjective enterprise.  The Owl Classic was a one-day, two-trial tournament designed for beginning teams; as mock trial becomes more and more competitive, it is difficult to find tournaments that cater to students who are new to the mock trial community.  We are grateful to Kennesaw State for hosting this event.  I am delighted to report that we took 1st place at the Owl Classic and 6th place at the Great American.  It was definitely a great weekend for the Paladins.   The Owl Classic Champions were led by Erin Frazer '12, Simpsonville, SC, and Jordan Weeg '12, Summerville, SC.  They were ably assisted by the following teammates; Chade Franklin '11, Milledgeville, GALatasia Fields '10, Charlotte, NCChris Geddie '11, Greer, SCStephen Tagert '13, Bristol, TNSara Morano '13, New Caanan, CTKristen Watts '13, Greer, SC The team finished with a perfect 4-0 record defeating two Kennesaw State teams. Ms. Weeg also was awarded an outstanding attorney award. Our 6th place Great American team was led by Meredith Dempsey '10, Lexington, SC, and Will Gyauch '10, Lexington, SC.  Meredith and Will were joined the following amazing group of students: Jan Lukas '10, Berlin, MDTaylor Senseney Crouch '13, Kennesaw, GAElizabeth Stell '10, Fayetteville, GASarah Jennings '12, Littleton, COEmily Westberry '11, Watkinsville, GAThomas Hydrick '13, Columbia, SCBrice Cantrell '11, Pawtucket, RI The team finished with a 7-5 record, winning one ballot and losing two to Michigan, winning two ballots and losing one against Virginia, winning one ballot and losing two against Pittsburgh, and winning all three ballots against Northwestern.   The top ten teams at the Great American were Virginia, George Washington, Miami (OH), Tennessee, Washington University, Duke, Cornell, Iowa, and Michigan.  I am exceptionally proud that Furman could be in the top ten on a list that includes some of the nation's finest universities.  And Furman's name is surely a known commodity among the many top notch mock trial teams across the nation. At the Great American, I took the opportunity two watch two trials, and I was most impressed with our students' performances.  Moreover, I was completely taken with the dedication of our students . . . who do not receive academic credit for this exercise and give up several weekends during the semester and keep ridiculous hours during a tournament weekend.  I don't think there are many undergrads who are up at 7 AM on Saturday and Sunday morning getting ready for trial competitions.  Of course, let's not forget the hours of preparation the students put into their performances prior to the competition. Hats off to the best coaching staff in the nation--D. Brad Rustin '03, Jessica Rustin, Steven Buckingham '03, Ashleigh Ward '03, Dawn Williams '05, Mark Fessler '05, Libby Weith '06, Dr. Margaret Oakes, and Titus Nichols.