The University may be famous for its athletic prowess, but its mock trial team hopes to bring home a national title as well.
"The University's mock trial team sent two teams to the regional competition in Toledo last weekend and came home with third and fourth place," said LSA junior Alexis Grigoras, one of the team's co-captains. Grigoras said 16 teams competed for four slots at the national competition.
At the regional competition, LSA junior Seth Merl received the Outstanding Witness Award and LSA sophomore James Liggins received the Outstanding Attorney Award.
"It was a great experience qualifying for nationals after being on the team for only one year," Merl said. "All of the hard work this term was well worth it when we placed so high. The icing on the cake was when the tournament personally recognized us for making a good impression."
The University's mock trial team split into two 9-person units for the competition, both of which qualified for the national competition. LSA senior Michael Elkon, the team co-captain, said it is rare for two teams from the same school to qualify.
"I am really proud of this team for working as hard as they did and for having two teams qualify for nationals," Elkon said. "This is something that no other school has done before. Getting ourselves through while knocking Notre Dame out was also quite satisfying."
Grigoras said the team formed in 1992, and has since built a successful track record. She said the team's winning history is especially gratifying because it does not have a full-time coach.
"The students run the show," Grigorias said, adding that Law Prof. Nicholas Rine and Ann Arbor prosecutor Brian Mackie sometimes help the team prepare for competition.
Elkon said the 18-member team has been unusually cohesive.
"This year was quite unique because all of the people who started out on the team continued on to regionals," Elkon said. "In the past few years, people had dropped off the team. Not this year. We have a very dedicated team."
Many participants have legal ambitions but still come from a varied cross-section of the student body, Elkon said.
"Many team members are planning on going to law school, but there is a diverse selection of majors on the team," Elkon said. "However, we all have one important thing in common - we can all act. Each person has to take on a different role every time we go to a competition."
At competitions, the American Mock Trial Association provides a fictional case for the competing teams. The two teams are randomly assigned either the defense or the plaintiff side. Each team consists of three attorneys and three witnesses, while two alternates sit out.
The team prepares its case by having the attorneys practice examining their own witnesses, while phrasing questions that will only reveal the information they want the judges to hear.
The trial is usually judged by two practicing attorneys from the area where the competition is held.
After months of practice, the team currently is enjoying some rest and relaxation, Elkon said.
"Since the regional competition was last weekend, the team is taking it easy before spring break," Elkon said.
The final round of national competition will be on April 4.
JEANNIE SERVAAS/Daily
LSA senior Michael Elkon gives a demonstration of a typical mock trial debate in an Angell Hall classroom last night. The team will compete in the national championship competition in April.