Two Illinois State University mock trial squads competed at the Virtual Loras College mock trial tournament held in mid-October. One Illinois State student, junior Connor Martin, received an individual award for outstanding performance in his witness portrayal.

This event was the first virtual mock trial competition for the Illinois State University mock team since it has been in existence. Loras appropriately named the event, “Testing the Waters Invitational.” This season, the American Mock Trial Association will not host face-to-face tournaments. Following AMTA’s lead, schools sponsoring invitationals will run the competitions as virtual events.

Squad 1033 won both judges’ ballots in rounds against Luther College and Winona State University. It split ballots with Dillard University. And 1033 lost one ballot and tied the other against Loyola University, the second-place team of the tournament. The 5-2-1 record put the squad in fourth place in the competition.

The other Redbird team, Squad 1034, garnered a 4-4 record. It won rounds against Carthage College and Winona State. Judges gave wins to Central College and Wheaton College. The tournament was won by Wheaton College.

Students interested in trying out for the 2021-22 mock trial team must first complete POL 283: Trial Advocacy in the spring semester. If you need an override to register for POL 283, please contact Professor McClure at temcclu@ilstu.edu.