The Rhodes College mock trial A team has qualified to compete in the American Mock Trial Association National Championship Tournament to be held April 4-6 in Cleveland, OH. This will be Rhodes 37th year heading to the nationals.
Marked by courtroom drama, mock trial uses a legal format (opening statements, witness testimony and cross examinations, closing arguments, etc.) to hold either a criminal or civil simulated trial. The season is made up of teams competing in invitationals in the fall and regional and open-round championship tournaments in the spring.
The final 50 teams from about 700 teams that began the season will go up against each other in the national championship tournament in April. The two divisional winners then face off in the championship final round. Other institutions competing in the Final 50 include University of Virginia, University of Chicago, UCLA, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Duke, and Northwestern.
Members of Rhodes team competing in the nationals include Christyn Sanders and Cormac Maclae (captains), Maya Bridgeman, Katherine Buikema, Kevin Caltry, Zoe Haug, Mitchell Leander, and Bell Tucci.
"Every year, our students continue to surprise me with their dedication, work ethic, and competitive spirit,” said Anna Eldridge, director of Mock Trial at Rhodes. “The eight students competing at nationals represent a program of over 40 other students who are just as talented and just as responsible for this team's success. I am proud that the incredible legacy of the program started by Mark Pohlmann in 1987 continues, and I look forward to celebrating 40 years of Rhodes Mock Trial next year."
Learn more about the Rhodes Mock Trial program.