The Rhodes College mock trial A team has qualified to compete in the American Mock Trial Association National Championship Tournament to be held April 8-10 in Lancaster, PA.
Rhodes A and B teams competed March 11-13 in the first weekend of the Opening Round Championship Series qualifiers to determine the top 48 teams advancing to the nationals. Rhodes students Elizabeth Baldwin, Kate Buikema, and Anna Cole were named All-National Attorneys. Ace Cole was named an All-National Witness.
Held in the D’Army Bailey Courthouse in Memphis and sponsored by the American Mock Trial Association, the opening round tournament was hosted by Rhodes. More than 40 of the college’s undergraduates and alumni showed up to volunteer and help the tournament run smoothly.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported the team and the tournament,” says Anna Eldridge, director of Mock Trial at Rhodes. “One of the things that I think make our program so special is the sense of community it builds. When we were struggling to find judges for our first in-person tournament, post-COVID-19, our local alums and attorneys did not hesitate to step up and volunteer. Some came in from as far as New York and Colorado. Ultimately, I think six incredible teams qualified from our field, including Rhodes, and I am happy with the result. Although our A team is the team that got the bid, it was the efforts of our four teams who helped at practices all season that led to the results.”
Other teams qualifying out of Memphis were Dillard University, Duke University, Northwestern University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Texas.
This will be Rhodes College’s 34th year heading to the nationals.
Rhodes A team is made up of Elizabeth Baldwin and Sheridan Hardy (captains), Maya Bridgeman, David Caddle, Jemma Clary, Ace Cole, Sam Frank, Veda Krumpe, Julia Blackmon, and Sam Walter. Alternates are Hannah Goto and Molly O’Connor.
Rhodes B team is made up of Reese Conners and Maya Harris (captains), Kate Buikema, Kevin Caltry, Anna Cole, Mia Farraday, Cormac Maclae, Grant Slusher, Emma Timmons, and Bell Tucci. Alternate is Megan O’Keefe.
Assistant coaches include Richard Madden, Mathew Jehl, and Kelsey McClain.