This past weekend, Hamilton’s two mock trial teams competed at SUNY Buffalo, in the Regional American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) tournament. Out of 20 different teams, the seven top scoring teams advance to the next round, the Opening Round Championship Series. Both Hamilton teams received bids to advance, with the Hamilton A team placing third and the Hamilton B team placing seventh.
This is the first year that Hamilton has brought two teams in the spring competitive season, and the results proved satisfactory. The Hamilton A team battled SUNY Geneseo, University of Rochester, Cornell University, and St. John Fisher College, winning seven out of eight ballots. The Hamilton B took ballots from SUNY Geneseo and Canisius College, winning four and a half ballots in total.
Hamilton received the most individual awards as well, with attorneys from both teams getting honored. A team co-captains Ryan Bloom ’18 and Conor O’Shea ’18 were recognized for the roles as attorneys on prosecution and defense, respectively. From the B team, Emma Liles ’21 received an award for her role as a defense attorney and Bryce Murdick ’20 was honored for his roles as both a prosecution witness and a defense attorney.
The two teams are currently preparing to compete at the Opening Round Championship Series (March 23-25) in Lancaster, Pa. If either or both teams rank in the top six of the competition, they will continue on to compete at the National Championship Tournament.
Other members currently on Hamilton’s competing roster include: Thomas Duda ’18, Samantha Gordon ’19, Brad Marston ’19, Jordan D’Addio ’20, Isabelle Mosbarger ’20, Grecia Santos ’20, Mohammad Umar ’20, Gianni Hill ’21, and Emma Liles ’21.
