Mock Trial goes undefeated at Macalester Trials

MOUNT VERNON – Cornell College’s Team 1465 went undefeated and took the crown last weekend at the Macalester Trials, a four-round mock trial tournament.

“I’m very proud of all our students. Our showing at the Macalester Trials showed that Cornell continues to be a force to be reckoned with in collegiate mock trial,” said Cornell coach Abbe Stensland.

“Not only did one of the squads win the tournament, but the other two teams lost their final two ballots to teams that ultimately placed in the top ten.  Our seniors on team 1465 are doing a great job, but the success of our other two squads, made up entirely of underclassman, shows that there is tremendous promise for the future,” she added.

Team 1465’s 8-0 performance was made even more impressive by the fact that not a single person on the team won an individual award. According to Stensland, such a showing demonstrates just how well-rounded their victory was.

Team 1465 was represented by Eli Wade-Scott, Annika Strombom, Madeline Roche, Kyle Blesener, Francis Dixson, Nedah Zamani, and Kasun Wijegunawardana, all fourth-year students.

Down one member, Team 1051—consisting of third-year students Mattie Haynes, Brandon Crawford, Abbey Sturm, Albert Lin, and Jennifer Chang; and second-year Julia Morrison—finished 4-4 for the weekend in a strong showing despite the need to adjust a lot of parts last minute.

Chang was recognized with an outstanding witness award for the second consecutive tournament for her portrayal of Dr. Jordan Lee, the state’s chief crime scene investigator.

Also down one team member, Team 1052—first-year students Tim Bingham, Elle Pope, James Hoeffgen, and Ariel Harris; third-year Lisa Chen; and fourth-year Ross Tate—also finished 4-4, losing their last round to the team that eventually finished fifth.  It was just their second tournament as a team, and the second collegiate mock trial tournament for most of the members.