Holy Cross Mock Trial Team Named New England Champion

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross Mock Trial team was named New England Champions after a first place finish in the American Mock Trial Association's New England Regional Mock Trial Tournament held Jan. 31 - Feb. 2 in Manchester, Conn.

Twenty-seven teams, including three from Holy Cross competed in this year's regional tournament. Emerging as a top scorer after a series of four trials on Saturday, the Holy Cross team defeated George Washington University in the final "Justice Cup" trial on Sunday.

The Holy Cross victory, a unanimous verdict from all three judges, is an automatic bid to the 2003 National Mock Trial Championship Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. The tournament is scheduled for April 4-6, 2003.

The winning team from Holy Cross was captained by Student Government President John O'Donnell '04, and attorneys Samantha Kingsbury '06 and Matthew Pieraldi '04. Witnesses included Christopher Hirl '03, Jonathan Steffy '04, Casey Donnelly '06 , Anthony (A.J.) Ursillo '06 and Eric Tosi '03.

Holy Cross also had individual student award winners. M. Cecilia Kelly '04, Christine McMahon '06 and Elizabeth Letak '06 were awarded Regional Attorney Awards, while Adam Zybulewski '05 was named an All-Region Witness.

The American Mock Trial Association sponsors 17 regional tournaments throughout the country. The New England regional is considered one of the most difficult competitions.

Last November, the Holy Cross Mock Trial team earned five top distinctions at the Yale Invitational Mock Trial Tournament. With 62 teams competing, it is the most competitive invitational tournament in the country.

Holy Cross Mock Trial began in 1997. They are led by educating coaches Ed McDermott '79 and Carey Smith '79, partners in the Worcester law firm of Morrison, Mahoney, & Miller; and Scott Sandstrom, Holy Cross pre-law advisor and economics professor.