King’s Mock Trial aims for National Championships this year

Financial District, NEW YORK--Last year the King’s Mock Trial team ranked near the top 50 schools in the nation, but this year they are shooting for the National Championships.

“It’s possible,” former president Luke Trouwborst (‘14) said, “but it would require significant preparation. We’d have to work hard to make it happen.”

A few weeks ago, the team competed with Ivy League schools such as Yale and Cornell University at a weekend tournament in Massachusetts. King’s won rounds against both the University of Pennsylvania and Boston College at the tournament, finishing the weekend with a record of 2-6.

Performance at this tournament was more impressive than it sounds, considering roughly half of the team was unable to attend. Of the thirteen who traveled, only five had ever competed in Mock Trial before.

“With competition at that high of a level, I was pretty impressed,” Trouwborst said. He expressed optimism and high expectation for the newer members of the team.

Notably, freshman Katie Calvert was a celebrated competitor in the tournament. In one trial, both judges said Calvert was clearly the best witness in the round. She was nearly awarded “Top Witness” for the tournament.

“We went up against some tough teams. It was a good tournament; it allowed us to kind of shake off the rust,” said second-year Mock Trial team member Ed Miranda (‘14).

“Last year was difficult but very educational. We had just enough to cover ourselves. [Mock trial is] a challenge; first and foremost you have to get put through the wringer to develop your skills,” added Miranda.

With a larger team this year, including eight or nine experienced upperclassmen and fresh talent from ten to fifteen new students, Trouwborst hopes to build a stronger talent pool and build momentum coming into spring semester.

“Everyone’s really willing to pitch in for the team,” Miranda said. “There are strong friendships to build there.”