Both Illinois State University mock trial squads competed at the Northern Illinois University Huskie Cup during the last weekend in October. The tournament awarded Squad B fourth place and Squad A fifth place. Fourteen teams participated in the tournament.
Three Illinois State students received individual awards. Nick Kniebusch and Denise Flores were named outstanding attorneys. Jamani Reed was awarded an outstanding witness award for her portrayal of a journalist.
Squad 1069 won five ballots, lost two, and tied one round. The team faced two different Northern Illinois University teams, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and DePaul University. Team members are Leah Carcasson, Ava Knapp, Nick Kniebusch, Jackie Mykytuik, Sara O’Dowd, Emmalie Parson, and Kyleigh Weir.
Squad 1070 is composed of Grace Betts, Denise Flores, Viv Garcia, Jake Podvrsan, Jamani Reed, Audrey Salamon, and Katie Schafer. This squad went 5-3, facing squads from St. Norbert College, two Wheaton College teams, and Loyola University.
The mock trial team is led by head attorney coach A.J. Blodgett, a Bloomington attorney in private practice, and assistant coach Spencer Chikahisa, a McLean County Assistant State’s Attorney.
Students interested in participating on the 2025-26 mock trial team must enroll in the spring 2025 section of POL 283: Trial Advocacy I. If you need an override to enter the class, please contact Professor Tom McClure, the mock trial educator coach. His email address is temcclu@IllinoisState.edu.
