The Illinois State mock trial team continued its winning stretch in December. The A Team (1011) took second place, and the B Team (1012) was given honorable mention at the Lewis University Fantastic Flyers Tournament. Several individual competitors were recognized by the tournament for outstanding performance, as well.
Olivia Riley and Kylie Weir of Team 1012 were named Outstanding Attorneys. The tournament awarded Austin Piercy of Team 1011 an Outstanding Witness award. The A Team garnered a 6-1-1 record. The team split ballots with University of Miami, which ultimately won the tournament. The B Team won 5 ballots and lost 3.
The next competition will be in January. The Redbirds will travel to Lexington, Kentucky, for a competition hosted by Eastern Kentucky University. Both Illinois State squads will compete in St. Louis in February for the American Mock Trial Association-sponsored regional, hosted by Washington University.
The members of squad 1012 for the Lewis tournament were Trinity Allen, Myah Brantley, Viv Garcia, Andrea Novotny, Jimmy Holmes, Olivia Riley, Kyleigh Weir, Jamani Reed, and Erykah Thomas. Squad 1011 was composed of Erin Daugherty, Ava Knapp, Nick Kniebusch, Grace Nord, Sara O’Dowd, Emmalie Parson, and Piercy. Nord is captain of 1012, and Brantley serves as the 1011 captain.
The head attorney coach is Bloomington attorney A.J. Blodgett, an award-winning member of the Illinois State mock trial team during his undergraduate career. The assistant coach is McLean County Assistant State’s Attorney Spencer Chikahisa. Professor Tom McClure is the educator coach.
For further information about the mock trial team, contact McClure.
