Published February 12, 2019
For the fifth straight year, the University of Louisiana Monroe’s mock trial team
finished as one the top teams at the American Mock Trial Association’s (AMTA) Regional
Tournament hosted by the University of Texas at Dallas on February 8-10 in Dallas,
TX. The result qualifies the Gold and Maroon squad for the Opening Round Championship
Series (ORCS) hosted by Rhodes College in Memphis, TN on March 15-17. This is the
first time in school history that two squads from ULM have simultaneously qualified
for ORCS, as ULM is the only university from Louisiana to qualify for the opening
round of the national championship in each of the last five years.
Some members of the ULM mock trial team in a courtroom.
The Gold squad finished third overall at regionals with a 7-1 record, defeating the
University of Oklahoma, University of Arkansas, Rhodes College, and Southwestern University.
Additionally, the Gold squad won the Spirit of AMTA Award, given to the team that
best exemplifies the ideals of civility, justice, and fair play. Isiah Chavis, an
attorney for the Gold squad, won a best attorney award. Competing for the Gold Squad
were Jorden Johnson (Sr. Monroe), Isiah Chavis, (Jr. Layette), Cameron Ott (Jr. West
Monroe), Uchechi Owunna (Fr. Nigeria), Antonia Harris, (Sr. Alexandria), Nautica Jones
(Fr. St. Martinville), Aakriti Pant (Fr. Nepal).
Bob Noel, “I am so proud of our students. They worked tirelessly all year long with
the goal of qualifying for ORCS. In spite of some adversity, they never quit. In spite
of winning tournaments, they never grew over confident. In the end, we proved once
again that ULM is one the best teams in the nation.” Over 900 teams competed in regional
tournaments, but less than 200 advanced to ORCS.
Isiah Chavis, “This weekend proved how dangerous we are. We improved every round,
and it showed. We obviously have a lot of work ahead, but there’s no doubt that ULM
will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming competition”
Jorden Johnson, “I am extremely proud of the success both teams achieved this weekend.
We stressed to our new members that if we did not give 100%, then this would be the
end of our season. They responded by giving some of the best performances of the year.
We are all dedicated to this program and I feel confident we may be the first team
to make it all the way to the final national championship round.”
Sarah Cheathem, “The success that both mock trial teams had this weekend is a result
of hard work and team effort. I am very happy that my last year on the team is with
a trip to ORCS.”
The Maroon squad advanced with a 5-3 record, defeating Austin College, Rhodes College,
and Texas A&M University. Representing ULM’s Maroon squad were Eli Bell (Sr. Rayville),
Olivia Myers (Jr. West Monroe), Shelby Joyner (Sr. West Monroe), Lydia Mills (Jr.
Greenwood), Evan Hebert (Jr. Monroe), Rebecca Pittman (So. Vivian), and Emma Brunel
(Jr., France).
Lydia Mills, “This competition had its ups and downs and there were times when we
did not think we would qualify; however, in the end, we never quit, we stuck to our
strategy, and we won.”
Emma Brunel, “This weekend was a long one, with a lot of ups and downs, but with only
one goal – making it to nationals. There were uncertainties and frustrations, but
we stayed focused and we succeeded.”
Shelby Joyner, “ULM mock trial truly shined this past weekend. We came in with a great
attitude and high expectations. We had a great start off, but struggled in the middle
rounds. However, our confidence allowed us to stand out from the rest and finish strong
with a sweep against Texas A&M. We proved we could rise above anything thrown our
way. I am so proud to lead the Maroon squad into nationals in Memphis, and I know
that we will go out and leave a good impression for ULM everywhere we compete. I’m
so blessed to be a part of this team; we are going to do great things in the future!”
Attorneys Bob Noel and Kyle Moore coach the ULM mock trial teams, which won three
tournaments in this competition year – the Jackson Joust hosted by Millsaps College
in Jackson, MS, the Nordic Undergraduate Mock Trial Battle hosted by the University
of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN, and the Kangaroo Brawl hosted by Austin College in
Sherman, TX.
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ULM is the only university in the state of Louisiana that has fielded an active AMTA-affiliated
mock trial team for the last six years; the only university in the state to have competed
at the Opening Round Championship Series of the AMTA National Championship the last
four. The American Mock Trial Association was founded in 1985 and is the governing
body for intercollegiate mock trial competition.
