DAN ORZECHOWSKI
Staff Writer
Fredonia’s mock trial team placed first in Ithaca College’s third annual Bomber Blitz Tournament last week. This was the first time in Fredonia’s history that the team won a tournament.
The Blue Devils’ Advocates underwent an undefeated journey while squaring off against Colgate University, Ithaca College and St. Bonaventure University. Before going 7-0, fourth place was the highest ranking the team had received at a tournament.
Mock trial consists of teams of six to 10 students playing the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a civil and criminal cases. Teams across the country are issued the same case by the American Mock Trial Association to work with for the season. The simulation is presented before a panel of practicing judges and attorneys.
The program allows students to learn about legal concepts and how to effectively offer a persuasive argument. Since 1999, Fredonia has been participating in the mock trial program.
The president of mock trial, political science major Brenna Sanford, couldn’t be anymore satisfied with the team’s recent victory. “It was awesome. It sounds really cliché, but we weren’t only happy for ourselves, but happy for our school because it helps spread the word for mock trial. It’s the farthest we’ve ever gone.”
This is Sanford’s third year involved with mock trial at Fredonia. Her freshman year, in 2015, the Blue Devils’ Advocates made it to the regionals and Opening Round Championship Series for the first time in school history. At the 2015 ORCS, Fredonia placed 18th out of 24 teams.
Nationwide, there are more than 650 teams competing to make a spot in the national tournament. After their recent win, the Blue Devil Advocates are aiming high.
Sanford plans on pursuing law school in the future. Even though mock trial is inclined to those interested in law, all majors are welcome to join the team. “We also have business majors, theater majors and education majors, and our adviser, David Kaplin, is in the English Department,” said Sanford.
The team dedicates a lot of time toward practicing. “Once everybody gets a hang of what mock trial is, we assign roles. Then we critique one another,” she said. “The main thing we do is repeat and practice, and that’s how we improve because everything has to be completely memorized.”
The 10-member club faces recruitment as somewhat of a struggle. Sanford notes that joining the team is a big time commitment. Right now, there’s only one team.
“Another team would be somewhat beneficial because we can try out different strategies and have more competitional experience,” Sanford said.
The last time Fredonia had two teams was in 2015.