Several Mock Trial competitors took home outstanding individual awards, with Hillsdale’s A Team placing fifth in a tournament that moved onto Zoom due to bad weather Jan. 24-25.

Hillsdale’s A Team was supposed to compete at Georgetown University. It swept Princeton University 2-0 in the first round, swept Penn State University’s B Team 2-0 in the second round, lost 0-2 to Tufts University in the third round, and went 1.5-0.5 against Penn State University’s A Team in the final round. Junior Jon Hovance took home an outstanding attorney award with 17 ranks. 

“Jon’s closing arguments were incredible — some of the best I have seen,” senior and A Team co-captain Patrick McDonald said. “His delivery style and pathos drew each round to a satisfying conclusion for our side. Also, I thought Gabriel Higbie’s performances as a witness were excellent. He played a very convincing forensic pathologist — not an easy role, but he nailed it.”

McDonald said the team adapted well to the changes of remotely participating in the tournament.

“We had to screenshare all of our evidence, which required last-minute changes,” McDonald said. “Much of the fun of mock trial is getting to compete in actual, real-life courtrooms with a bench, jury box, counsel tables, etc. So, I’m definitely looking forward to getting back to that when we compete in-person.”

This season, Hillsdale’s A Team includes McDonald, Hovance, co-captain and senior Valerie Check, senior Chloe Noller, senior Nathan Emslie, junior Gabriel Higbie, sophomore Erin McDonald, and sophomore Gabriel Zylstra.

Hillsdale’s B Team was supposed to travel to Indiana University over the weekend but also ended up competing via Zoom. They ended the tournament with a final ballot record of 4.5-3.5, losing to Indiana University 0-2 in the first round, sweeping the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2-0, defeating Miami University 2-0, and ending 0.5-1.5 against the University of Wisconsin–Madison. 

Junior Ty Tomasoski won an 18-rank individual award, according to team co-captains juniors Elizabeth Gaines and Ella Lovins.

“Ty gave one of his best performances as a witness this week,” Gaines said. “He was very engaging and energetic on both direct and cross examination.”

Lovins said the team was notified on short notice that they would compete over Zoom.

“We spent the entire weekend competing in Lane Hall,” Lovins said. “Since all three Hillsdale teams were competing virtually, we got to spend time together. Dr. Kiledal graciously helped with every part of the weekend, from making food to setting up rooms, so we’re very grateful for all her help.”

Hillsdale’s B Team consists of Gaines, Lovins, Tomasoski, junior Miriam Ahern, junior Brennan Berryhill, sophomore Aaliyah Moore, sophomore Zoe Katsaros, freshman Ellie Bear, freshman Margaret Ellen Jackson, and freshman Sammy Thompson.

Hillsdale’s C Team was also originally slated to travel to Indiana University before moving online. They ended with a final ballot of 2.5-5.5, sweeping Miami University 2-0, losing to Case Western University 0-2, going 0.5-1.5 against Indiana University, and being defeated by the University of Michigan 0-2.

Freshman William Adkison earned a 16-rank outstanding attorney award, according to sophomore Ethan Scroggins. 

“Will performed incredibly well over the weekend,” Scroggins said. “He served as a great example to the rest of us.”

Scroggins said overall he was happy seeing the improvement the team had made over the weekend.

“Our rounds on Sunday were cleaner, our performance was more polished, and our memorization was sharper,” Scroggins said. “Unfortunately, we just happened to face much harder teams.”

Hillsdale’s C Team includes Scroggins, Adkison, senior Victoria Rossmiller, junior Hershey Athysivam, and freshmen Charlee Amason, Sarah Lange, Asher McGlinchy, Robert Nordin, Robert Rodenbush, and Ella Schuberg. 

As Mock Trial looks forward to in-person competitions, each team will be competing for bids to the Opening Round Championship Series — a semi-final where top teams from regional competitions advance to a spot at the American Mock Trial Association National Championship.

Scroggins said the Mock Trial teams hope to secure Hillsdale’s first-ever “open bid,” where more than two programs win a bid to ORCS.

“Each Mock Trial program is allowed only two bids to ORCS, so if a program wins more than two, the extra becomes ‘open,’” Scroggins said. “The team winning an open bid wouldn’t actually get to compete at OCRS, but earning one is kind of a flex, and Hillsdale’s never done it before.” 

Scroggins said he expects both A and B teams to bid for ORCS, and that he hopes Hillsdale’s C Team does well enough to secure the open bid.