Mock Trial to Nationals

In just their third year of competition, Cornell's mock trial team has advanced to the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) National Championship Tournament. The team earned a 7-1 record in their qualifying tournament in Kansas City and will vie for the championship April 17-19, in Des Moines, Iowa against teams from Northwestern University, Cal Berkeley, New York University, the University of Richmond, and other schools.

Sophomore Eli Wade-Scott is one of several team members who have racked up individual honors this season, including being named an All-Region Witness for his portrayal of politician Drew Walton. Wade-Scott, who joined the team this year, discovered that he enjoys the competitive and collaborative nature of mock trial.

"I've never been one for organized sports, so this is a novel experience for me," he says. "Those tough moments where we're out in the hallway during a round, wondering how we're doing, encouraging each other, exchanging notes -- those are the best moments. You're always just as excited when a team member wins an award as you do."

Mock trial teams consist of six to eight students, each assigned to attorney and/or witness roles for each case. Teams alternate between plaintiff and defense roles in direct competitions designed to function much like actual court proceedings. The goal is to teach legal concepts while developing a range of skills including critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork.

Cornell's quick success is perhaps no surprise. Coach Kristofer Lyons, a practicing attorney in Monticello, Iowa, led the University of Iowa to two national championships as mock trial coach from 2001-2004, and he also serves on the AMTA Board of Directors. And Cornell's team was founded with the assistance of Marcus Pohlmann '72, then president of the AMTA.

Cornell's team is made up of juniors Madeline Roche, Annika Strombom, Kasun Wijegunawardana, and Kyle Blesener; senior Nic Wondra; and Wade–Scott.