Published Feb. 17, 2020
For the sixth straight year, the University of Louisiana Monroe finished as one the
top teams at the American Mock Trial Association鈥檚 Regional Tournament hosted by the
University of St. Thomas on Feb. 8-9 in Houston.
听
网曝门 Mock Trial teams pictured above and below
The result qualifies the Gold and Maroon squad for the Opening Round Championship
Series hosted by Rhodes College in Memphis on March 20-22. This is the second straight
year that two squads from 网曝门 have simultaneously qualified for ORCS, as 网曝门 is the
only university from Louisiana to qualify for the opening round of the national championship
in each of the last six years.
听
The Gold squad finished third overall at regionals with a 6-1-1 record, defeating
Rice University, Texas A&M University, Millsaps College, and Tulane University. Emma
Brunel, a witness for the Gold squad, won a best witness award. Competing for the
Gold squad were Isiah Chavis, (senior, Layette), Cameron Ott (senior, West Monroe),
Uchechi Owunna (sophomore, Nigeria), Nautica Jones (sophomore, St. Martinville), Aakriti
Pant (sophomore, Nepal), Lydia Mills (senior, Shreveport), Lydia Mire (sophomore,
Rayne), Emma Brunel (senior, France), and Halli Declouet (junior, Lafayette).
听
Monroe attorney Bob Noel, who founded the 网曝门 Mock Trial team and serves as a coach
along with attorney Kyle Moore, said, 鈥淥ur students worked hard all year with the
goal of qualifying for ORCS. In spite of some adversity, they never quit and continued
to get better. This result combined with our national ranking demonstrates that 网曝门
is one of the best teams in the nation.鈥�
听
More than 900 teams competed in regional tournaments, but less than 200 advanced to
ORCS.
听
Senior member Chavis said, 鈥淧atience and hard work pays off. We did not dominate every
tournament this year, but we hit our stride when it counts. I am honored to be the
captain of a team full of talent, with a great work ethic that trusts each other.
There is no doubt in my mind that we are capable of doing something really special
this year at ORCs.鈥�
听
Mock Trial team member Brunel added, 鈥淥ur past couple of tournaments were frustrating
for us because we felt like we were not performing up to our full potential. At regionals
we were more confident, prepared, and ready. The challenges paid off, but we know
that we can be better and we will work harder at ORCS. I believe in every member of
my team and I am so proud to see how everyone evolved throughout the year.鈥�
听
听The Maroon squad advanced with a 6-2 record, defeating Louisiana State University,
University of Houston, and Houston Baptist University, after an opening round loss
to Baylor University. Representing 网曝门鈥檚 Maroon squad were Olivia Myers (senior, West
Monroe), Shelby Joyner (senior, West Monroe), Evan Hebert (senior, Monroe), Rebecca
Pittman (junior, Vivian), Gabbriella Gill (junior, Rayville), Andrea Hernandez (senior,
West Monroe), Kamron Glover (sophomore, Gonzales), and Ethan Estis (freshman, Rayville).
鈥淭his competition had its ups and downs and there were times when we did not think
we would qualify; however, in the end, we never quit, we stuck to our strategy, and
we won,鈥� said senior team member Mills.
听
Shelby Joyner, also a senior, added, 鈥淭his weekend was definitely a great representation
of just how competitive 网曝门 is at our tournaments. Finishing 6-2 showcased our resiliency.
We started by losing to the toughest team and falling to the bottom of the rankings,
but were able to work our way back to earning an open bid. Gabbriella and Rebecca
really shined this weekend by getting best witness awards, but everyone on our team
stepped up. We worked as an entire unit, made changes as we went along, and worked
through our mistakes to improve. Constant optimism and support from everyone paired
with long hours of practice got us through this weekend. I鈥檓 so honored to have led
this team the last 3 years, and I can鈥檛 wait to see what the program does in the future鈥�
听
Gill, a junior, commented, 鈥淭he 网曝门 Mock Trial team is more than just a team, we are
family. In the past year of being on mock trial at 网曝门, I have learned many things.
The first is confidence and poise. The members of this team seek challenges and supporting
each other to achieving their goals. I owe everything I have learned from my team
and my coach, Kyle Moore. The greatest feeling is not receiving an award, but seeing
how proud and loud my team and coach are for receiving the award. At the end of the
day, we all put in hard work and dedication. I have never had a bigger support system
or family as I do now, thanks to 网曝门 Mock Trial.鈥�
听
Junior Pittman added, 鈥淎 common misconception regarding Mock Trial is that it is simply
just another college debate team; however, it is so much more than that. 网曝门 Mock
Trial is a family. Bonds have grown between every single member of the team; there
is endless love and support. Our coaches and captains balance work, family, and more
just to help us reach our potential. For me, there is no such thing as an individual
award. Every person on my team has sat for hours and helped me improve, adjusted hotel
thermostats to help me sleep, and lastly, stood up and cheered when hard work gets
rewarded.鈥�
鈥撯赌撯赌�
网曝门 is the only university in the state of Louisiana that has fielded an active AMTA-affiliated
mock trial team for the last seven years; the only university in the state to have
competed at the Opening Round Championship Series of the AMTA National Championship
the last six. The American Mock Trial Association was founded in 1985 and is the governing
body for intercollegiate mock trial competition.
