For an unprecedented 33rd consecutive year, Rhodes will be sending a mock trial team to the American Mock Trial Association National Championship Tournament in April. Two Rhodes College Mock Trial Teams—Team 872 and Team 873—have qualified for the nationals after competing in an opening round of the tournament held at the D’Army Bailey Courthouse March 15-17.
Among the schools that participated in this past weekend’s tournament include Vanderbilt University, University of Tennessee, University of Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor University, University of Georgia, and University of Alabama, among others.
Matthew Busbice ’19 won a top witness award. Turner Booth ’19, Daniel Elliott ’19, and Kelsey McClain ’19 won top attorney awards. Jeena Piriano ’20 was the top attorney in the tournament.
“This was an emotional year for us as it was our first one without Mark Pohlmann, who is now retired, being present at practices and tournaments,” says Anna Eldridge, director of Rhodes Mock Trial. “We were really excited to have such an incredible season across the board. I think the thing that we are most proud of is that our liberal arts school not only gets to go back to Nationals, but for the seventh consecutive season, we will be taking two teams. Even with so many seniors, the consistency among all of our teams and the depth of talent in our teams show the future of Mock Trial at Rhodes is bright.”
From the nine opening round sites, 48 teams will advance to the April 4-7 National Championship Tournament in Philadelphia, PA.