2 Mock Trial teams advance to championship series

Two of Cornell College’s Mock Trial squads have earned a bid to the Opening Round Championship Series, which will be held in March.The teams went 6-2 at the American Mock Trial Association regional tournament, which was hosted by Cornell College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Feb 11-12. Teams will compete at the Opening Round Championship Series Tournament in Geneva, Illinois, March 24-25. Three students were also recognized for individual performance. Senior Mimi Vukelich and freshman Jack Beaumaster won outstanding attorney awards and sophomore Orgho Neogi was named an outstanding witness.

The bids continue Cornell’s national success on the mock trial stage. The team has qualified for the Opening Round Championship Series every year since 2009. They have qualified for the National Championship Tournament seven times and placed at nationals twice, finishing 6th in 2010 and 7th last year. The program has had three All-Americans—two attorneys and one witness. Cornell is currently ranked #18 nationally, placing in the top 20 with programs at Yale, UCLA, Columbia, Duke, and Northwestern.