Hillsdale Mock Trial’s A and B teams could advance to nationals after victories at last week’s regional tournament at the University of Dayton.
The B team finished in first place overall at Dayton Regionals Feb. 14-15 with a perfect 8-0 score. They defeated teams from Bowling Green State University, the University of Cincinnati, University of Michigan, and Cedarville University, sweeping each team 2-0.
Sophomore Aaliyah Moore received a 19-rank attorney award, and junior Ty Tomasoski won a 16-rank witness award.
“Ty gave some really fun and engaging performances this weekend,” team member and sophomore Zoe Katsaros said. “And Aaliyah has a kind of confidence that really commands the courtroom whenever she’s delivering her material. She was clean, precise, and connected especially well with the judges.”
The Dayton Regionals was a single-elimination tournament, meaning only the top six teams could bid to the Opening Round Championship Series, according to Katsaros. At ORCS, 192 teams from across the nation will compete for 48 spots at the National Championship Tournament. Because the B team placed first at Dayton Regionals, they won the first bid to ORCS from Dayton.
“It was such an exciting moment to hear our team be called as the first team advancing to ORCS,” Katsaros said. “We’ve put in a lot of work to make that happen, and it’s really special that we get to keep working alongside each other at this level. We’re celebrating that win, but there’s still work to be done.”
Hillsdale’s A team placed third overall at Dayton Regionals, with a 7-1 final score. They swept teams from the University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, and Saint Louis University 2-0 each. The A team tied 1-1 with Indiana University’s B team in the second round, causing them to finish just one point short of a perfect score.
Co-captain and senior Valerie Check took home a 17-rank attorney award, while co-captain and senior Patrick McDonald won a 17-rank witness award, and senior Chloe Noller received a 16-rank witness award, according to Check.
“Patrick’s witnesses are always fun. They bring life to a long trial,” Check said. “Chloe was particularly smooth this weekend. She was credible and brought great emotion to her character.”
Because the A team placed third at the tournament, they won the third bid to ORCS, according to Check.
“If you don’t place high enough at regionals, you’re out of the tournament,” Check said. “ORCS is like the sweet-16 of mock trial. It’s a blessing to be there. We are excited to keep pushing to prepare for the upcoming round of the tournament. The field narrows significantly, so we will have to be prepared to face great programs with difficult teams.”
Check said the team has spent many hours preparing for the Dayton Regionals tournament as well as the rest of the season.
“We put in a lot of hours to prepare for this tournament,” Check said. “It’s the start of the real season, so we have been locking in in Lane Hall. I’m grateful for the hours my team helped me prepare.”
While the work was grueling, the B team enjoyed working hard together and growing closer over the weekend, according to B team co-captains and juniors Elizabeth Gaines and Ella Lovins.
“Tournaments are always demanding, both mentally and physically,” Gaines said. “Though the days are long, we loved spending time together and bonding even more as a team.”
Both of Hillsdale’s teams will appear at ORCS on March 20-22 in Geneva, Illinois.
“We were grateful to bid to ORCS this year and are excited for the work ahead,” Lovins said.
