OHIO Mock Trial selects 24 students, prepares for fall competition season

The 51�� Mock Trial Team selected 24 students, including 14 new competitors, to form two teams for the 2024-25 academic year.

Both teams are preparing for their first competition at the Scarlet and Gray Invitational Tournament hosted by Ohio State University on October 12-13.

Tryouts for the team occurred in early September. Students were required to write and memorize a prepared speech, deliver an extemporaneous speech, and answer direct examination questions about a previously provided witness statement.

“Over forty students signed up to tryout for a position on our team,” said Larry Hayman, Esq., director of legal engagement and pre-law program and head coach of the team. “The selected students are some of the most qualified we have had on the team. I look forward to the year ahead.”

This is the tenth year for the 51�� Mock Trial Team, a selective and competitive experiential learning opportunity affiliated with the Center for Law Justice & Culture. The team competes in the American Mock Trial Association with more than 700 other teams representing around 350 colleges and universities across the country.

Mock trial is a simulated courtroom experience in which students are taught to think and act as trial attorneys and witnesses for both the defense and plaintiff sides, performing cross and direct examinations, opening and closing statements, and introducing evidence. This year’s case is a civil suit between two siblings, one alleging the other caused the death of their father to accelerate the collection of his inheritance.

The 2024-2025 team members are:

Zach Donaldson, a senior political science major
Emily Green, a senior sociology pre-law major
Ava Poling, a junior studying political science pre-law and philosophy
Leighton Heiner, a senior studying philosophy
Patrick O’Leary, a sophomore studying political science pre-law and communication studies
Kara Carter, a freshman studying integrated mathematics
James Cox, a freshman studying political science
Sydney Gross, a junior studying forensic chemistry
Maahi Patel, a sophomore studying international business pre-law and philosophy
Katie Buschle, a sophomore studying sociology
Nathan Gollings, a sophomore studying political science pre-law
Ethan Bartlett, a junior studying psychology
Damyria Collier, a junior studying philosophy pre-law
Mason Shawkey, a freshman studying political science pre-law
Hallie Shea, a junior studying sociology pre-law and political science
Sophia Maher, a freshman studying sociology-criminology
Karmen Kirker, a junior studying sociology pre-law
Marina Favro, a freshman studying political science pre-law
Tina Nguyen, a freshman studying biochemistry
Brady Wood, a junior studying political science pre-law and economics
Raegan Elliott, a sophomore studying political science pre-law and environmental biology
Gretchen Sahr, a junior studying sociology and philosophy
Spencer Boakye, a freshman studying political science pre-law
Noah Kiel, a freshman studying political science pre-law

The team will compete in several scrimmages and invitational tournaments over the coming months, receiving feedback along the way from mock trial alumni, law students, and attorneys as they prepare for the first regional tournament in February 2025.

“I am unbelievably excited to get to work with this year’s crew. We have a unique mix of experience and fresh talent that should make for a highly competitive team” said Mock Trial President Zach Donaldson.

In addition to Hayman, Assistant Athens County Prosecutor Ashley Johnson, Esq. serves as assistant coach.

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