Holy Cross Mock Trial Team Finishes 3rd at National TournamentYou've probably noticed the new trophy case in the Stein Lobby. If you haven't, stop by and take a look ... there were recently two more items added. This semester, two Holy Cross mock trial teams qualified for national competition, and at last month's 2002 National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament, one Holy Cross team placed third in the nation.The teams, captained individually by Cecilia Kelly '04 and John O'Donnell '04, worked for months preparing to argue a mock legal case at the national level, a daunting task for an exceptionally young team. The teams met throughout February and March, despite mid-term exams, papers and spring break. Students prepared both as attorneys and witnesses to be tried in front of practicing lawyers and judges. Kelly's team, consisting of Elizabeth Crowley '02, Erin Hickey '03, Erin Tierney '03, Heather Stanga '04, Ruth Demeter '05, Amanda DeVuono '05 and Rian Romeo '05, competed strongly against tough competitors such as New York University, University of Chicago and Rice University. O'Donnell's team, consisting of Meghan McNamara '02, Chris Hirl '03, Matt Pieraldi '04, Jon Steffy '04, Jared Hasten '05, Noah McPike '05 and Adam Zybulewski '05, faced the University of Ohio-Dayton, University of Minnesota, St. Thomas of St. Paul and the University of Michigan. Despite the tough competition, the team emerged victorious with a 6-2 record, earning them a third-place finish. Pieraldi brought home individual honors, placing as one of the top 10 attorneys at the tournament, earning All-American Attorney honors. At the National Tournament last year, only one team from Holy Cross returned with a sixth-place finish. The team has improved considerably in just one year, by qualifying two teams and placing one of them in the country's top three. While replacing the leadership and talent of seniors McNamara and Crowley will be difficult, the young team hopes to continue to improve - a task made much easier with the immense amount of support received from the student body, administration and alumni. Started in the fall of 1997 at Holy Cross, mock trial is an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn about trial techniques used by lawyers in the courtroom. Teams consist of six to eight students who take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a simulated court case. Participants gain experience and knowledge in areas such as the stages of a trial, how to argue objections, and how to direct and cross-examine a witness. This year's case dealt with the criminal homicide of an advertising executive. Congratulations to all members of the Holy Cross mock trial team! Photo courtesy of John Buckingham. |
April 12, 2002|nm