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HUNTINGDON -- Juniata College's "Legal Eagles" secured their bid to face the highest-ranked Mock Trial teams in the nation at the American Mock Trial Association National Championship next month.
Led by their coach, Attorney David Andrews '74, the Juniata College Mock Trial team has advanced to the national playoffs each of the four years of their existence, with this year's taking place in Cincinnati, Ohio.
"This is our first time going to the national championships. It's quite an accomplishment," Andrews said. "We were 3-3 going into the last trial Sunday. Our team stepped up and were on their game. Our witnesses were excellent, and our attorneys were on top of everything. These were very competitive, very tough trials."
At the playoffs, each team competes in four trials (two as the defendant and two as the plaintiff), with two judges presiding over each trial. Teams can earn a total of eight points throughout the competition.
Juniata College will join Georgetown University, Michigan State University, University of Maryland-Baltimore, and University of Cincinnati in trying the case at the championships.
A total of 660 teams were entered into the national tournament at the start, with playoff competitions taking place throughout the United States. The remaining 48 teams will face off at the National Championships in Lancaster April 8-10.
Team members who will participate in the National Championship are Dan Cummins of Clarks Summit; captain Sarah Cook of State College; captain Francesca Satiro of Ronks; Emerson Strawser of Harrisburg; Nattie Daversa of Altoona; Alex Sanna of Hummelstown; Quintin Ioime of Hamden, Conn.; Brenna Haggerty of Boiling Springs; Kyle Boyer of Lewistown; and Olivia Day of Duncansville. Alternates are Shea Langille of Stewartstown; Brendan Andrews of Altoona; and Vanessa Alvarez of Ramsey, N.J.