Breaking News
Community

Juniata mock trial team heads to national playoffs

2 min read
Courtesy photo Members of Juniata College’s Mock Trial team will compete in the 2022 National Playoffs in Cincinnati, Ohio, from March 18 to 20. Team members include Coach Dave Andrews, Brendan Andrews, Shea Langille, co-captain Sarah Cook, Nattie Daversa, Francesca Satiro, Brenna Haggerty, Emerson Strawser, Alex Sanna, Kyle Boyer, co-captain Dan Cummins and Quintin Ioime.

HUNTINGDON -- Juniata College's Mock Trial team will take their case to the national playoffs of the American Mock Trial Association as this team has each of its four years of competition.

Following a successful regional playoff weekend, the Legal Eagles have earned a bid to compete in the opening round playoffs in Cincinnati, Ohio, Friday, March 18, through Sunday, March 20.

"I am very proud of our student team members who have continued our tradition of advancing to the national playoffs each year," said Attorney and Mock Trial team coach David Andrews, class of 1974.

"They work all year from August to achieve this goal, and they will be giving up their Spring Break for this opportunity to compete in Cincinnati."

At the playoffs, Juniata will join teams including Georgetown University; University of Pennsylvania; University of Michigan; Michigan State University; University of Massachusetts at Amherst; University of Illinois; University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Penn State University.

Captains Dan Cummins of Clarks Summit and Sarah Cook of State College will lead their teammates in trying the case of a cash-strapped bar owner whose insured establishment is heavily damaged in a suspicious fire.

Teammates include Nattie Daversa of Altoona; Francesca Satiro of Ronks, Pa.; Emerson Strawser of Harrisburg; Quintin Ioime of Hamden, Conn.; Brenna Haggerty of Boiling Springs, Pa.; Alex Sanna of Hummelstown; Olivia Day of Duncansville; Shea Langille of Stewartstown, Pa.; Kyle Boyer of Lewistown; Vanessa Alvarez of Ramsey, N.J.; and Brendan Andrews of Altoona.

All teams are given the same case files at the beginning of each season, and the team's witnesses must adhere to the affidavits provided, but Mock Trial competitors highlight and challenge each member's ability to adapt, problem-solve and think on their feet.

In competition, each Mock Trial team tries the case four times, twice as prosecution and twice as defense, with students assuming the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a trial.

Starting at /week.