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Carthage Mock Trial at ORCS Tournament in March 2019. The Carthage Mock Trial team completed an outstanding 2018-19 season by placing in the top half of the teams assigned to the Opening Round Championship Series the weekend of March 8-10 in Geneva, Ill. By placing twelfth in the 24-team tournament, Carthage Mock Trial will finish the season in approximately the top 15 percent of all teams nationally for 2018-19.

Carthage faced strong competition in the tournament from the outset, competing against perennial powerhouses Stanford University and Northwood University. The team was able to tie Stanford on one of the two ballots, while splitting against Northwood, winning by one point and losing by three. They also competed against the University of Denver and the University of Arizona. Both Stanford and Northwood finished in the top five and advanced to the National Championship Series in Philadelphia.

Prior to the regional in Minneapolis, where Carthage placed third to qualify for ORCS in Geneva, the team also participated in several invitational tournaments this year. These included the University of Minnesota, Illinois State University, Lewis University and Loras College. Micah Pahl ’21 won both an outstanding attorney and outstanding witness award at ISU. Maham Ali ’19 won outstanding attorney awards at Loras and at the regional in Minneapolis. Josh Kundert ’19 won outstanding witness awards at Loras and at the regional in Minneapolis. Throughout the season, every member of the team received several nominations for both outstanding attorney and outstanding witness as well.

Carthage also hosted a one-day invitational scrimmage at the Kenosha County Courthouse in November. Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Mary Wagner has been a supporter of Carthage Mock Trial since its inception. Each year, she judges and helps prepare the team in addition to coordinating and hosting a one-day scrimmage at the Kenosha Courthouse. This year’s scrimmage teams included UW-Milwaukee and Northern Illinois University.

Only Micah Pahl returned from last year’s team. The remaining seven members of Carthage Red were brand new to mock trial this season and all enjoyed their experience.

“Mock Trial was my first experience at a team sport. The support and energy on this team is an experience worth having. I learned so much and now am more confident than ever before because of it.” — Alyssa Padjen ’21, English

“Being part of Mock Trial was the most challenging and rewarding experience of my college career. Not only did I get to improve my leadership skills, I improved my critical thinking skills by being able to think on my feet.” — Maham Ali ’19, International political economy 

“Mock Trial was not only a great learning experience, but a place where I made a lot of good friends and, honestly, we developed in to a family of sorts.” — Anne Ewart ’22, Psychology

“Mock Trial gives you the chance to learn public speaking skills like you’ve never learned them before. You have no idea what the other side is going to say, so you get practice with rapid fire responses and arguments that will serve you well no matter what career you go into.” — Joshua Kundert ’19, Environmental science 

Participating at ORCS in Geneva were:

  • Maham Ali ’19 **
  • Kierra Coleman ’22
  • Anne Ewart ’22
  • Joshua Kundert ’19 **
  • Alyssa Padjen ’21
  • Micah Pahl ’21
  • Elizabeth Stroh ’21

** Denotes Team Captains

About Carthage Mock Trial

The team is coached by Professor Michael Phegley, with the assistance of Attorney/Court Commissioner Loren Keating and Attorney Ryan Ogren. DaQuawn Bruce ’18 assisted in coaching this year’s teams as well. Professor Helene DeGross is also instrumental in the team’s development and success each season. Additionally, Professor Art Cyr and the A. W. Clausen Center for World Business continue to provide support at each tournament and throughout the season.

Mock Trial is a course in the Criminal Justice Program which is taught each fall by Prof. Phegley. Students may also participate as part of an independent study for one or two credits. Students of all majors are welcome.

Students interested in joining next year’s team should contact Prof. Phegley at mphegley@carthage.edu.

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