Over the past two weekends (Jan. 20-21 and 27-28) Hamilton’s two mock trial teams have traveled near and far to compete against the best programs in the country. These two tournaments, held at Georgetown and Cornell, respectively, were the teams’ final opportunities to get hands-on practice before the “March Madness” style tournaments begin in February.
During these two weekends, Hamilton took ballots from Columbia and Harvard, battled with NYU and Penn State, and sparred with a number of other distinguished and perennially competitive programs.
This is the first year that Hamilton has brought two teams in the spring competitive season, and the results could not be more encouraging. Hamilton’s A team ranked in the top third of teams at Georgetown and Hamilton’s B team, made almost entirely of new members, went head-to-head with NYU, who ended up winning the Cornell Invitational.
At both tournaments individual teammates were recognized as outstanding competitors. Co-Captain Conor O’Shea ’18 was the only competitor, of 24 teams, at the Georgetown Invitational to have a perfect score as an attorney. On the B team, Bryce Murdick ’20 and Ryan Stewart ’21 were also recognized for their standout talent in attorney and witness roles, respectively.
Overall, the ability to have two teams has given every member of Hamilton Mock Trial to more than double their experience and exposure, has given more members leadership experience, and will exponentially increase the talent of the program as a whole each year.
The two teams are currently preparing for Regionals (Feb. 24-25) in Buffalo. If either or both teams rank in the top eight, they will advance to the Opening Round Championship Series in Lancaster, Pa. (March 23-25).
Other members currently on Hamilton’s competing roster include: Co-Captain Ryan Bloom ’18, Thomas Duda ’18, Samantha Gordon ’19, Brad Marston ’19, Jordan D’Addio ’20, Isabelle Mosbarger ’20, Bryce Murdick ’20, Grecia Santos ’20, Mohammad Umar ’20, Gianni Hill ’21, and Emma Liles ’21.
