Courtesy | Evalyn Homoelle
Hillsdale’s Mock Trial Team competed in their first virtual tournament of the spring semester last weekend.
The American Mock Trial Association announced on Jan. 15 that all-regional tournaments would be held in an online format due to COVID-19 precautions. In the fall semester, AMTA left the decision up to individual schools based on local mandates. After making the decision to move online for the spring semester, AMTA voted to hold virtual tournaments in the same three-hour format as in-person tournaments.
Hillsdale’s 1299 and 1300 competed at a tournament hosted by Eastern Michigan University, with 1299 taking fifth place. The 1298 team placed second at Indiana University. Next weekend, the 1300 team will compete in regionals.
Captain and junior Ethan Tong said the online format has some advantages.
“When we were in person, everyone was wearing masks so you couldn’t see anything above the nose,” Tong said. “Whereas when we’re online, since we’re in our own room, nobody cares if we wear masks or not. We can show our variety of facial expressions and people will get to see us being more passionate or being more serious and that kind of stuff.”
Freshman Natalie LeBlanc said she enjoys the online tournaments more than in-person.
“It enables me to feel calmer about going because it’s not as stressful as having the prosecutor right in your face,” LeBlanc said. “Although it’s less personable, it’s easier to feel more calm and collected. It helps me have better answers, especially as a witness.”
Both Tong and LeBlanc said a disadvantage to the online format is that it is easier to become distracted if it is not their portion of the trial.
Despite remaining on campus, the mock trial team planned team events to replicate the social aspect of travel tournaments, according to Tong and LeBlanc.
“We’re still going to get food catered to us and go out to eat and stuff like that,” LeBlanc said. “The fun aspects are still here, and I get to sleep in my own bed.”
On Sunday mornings while traveling, the mock trial team holds “mock trial church.” Before the busyness of the tournament, the tradition is a good way to start the day, according to Tong.
“We’ll all meet together and sing some songs and read some Scripture,” Tong said. “That also helps build a community even though we’re all in our separate dorms.”
According to a Jan. 15 update to its website, AMTA will release an update about future tournaments on or before Feb. 14. AMTA “remains hopeful” that the Opening Round Championship Series and nationals will be held in person.
Tong and LeBlanc said they look forward to returning to in-person tournaments.
“Being in the courtroom forces you in ways that online tournaments can’t because you have to be prepared for what it feels like to have a lawyer, a judge right there and an opposing team next to you,” LeBlanc said. “It’s more intimidating, but it makes you better.”
