This past month, Lee University’s Mock Trial Team successfully competed in the Chucky Mullins Invitational and the Owl Classic tournament. 

“I am extremely proud of our Mock Trial team,” said Dr. Mark Scully, assistant professor of political science. “They work together wonderfully, and during Owl Classic, our teams distinguished themselves by their teamwork, determination and excellent performance. The team works hard, challenges and supports one another, and represents Lee wonderfully as they travel to compete against some of the best coached teams in our region. They deserve our recognition and congratulations.”  

The club traveled to Mississippi for a weekend-long competition hosted by Ole Miss. There, the team competed in four rounds against some of the highest-ranked teams in the nation. Lee University scored third overall against Rhodes College and University of Arkansas. Paul Atherton, a sophomore political science major/pre-law minor and vice president of the Mock Trial Team, won the Outstanding Attorney Award. Zadie Fiveash, a sophomore political science major, won the Outstanding Witness Award. 

“Competing in the Chucky Mullins invitation was an excellent experience and a fantastic way to commence the season,” said Sydney Taylor, president of the Mock Trial Team. “We are proud of our accomplishments thus far and cannot wait to see what else is in store for this season!” 

A week later, Mock Trial team members traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, and competed in the Owl Classic tournament at Kennesaw State University. The Owl Classic is hosted by the American Mock Trial Association, a governing body that offers undergraduate students opportunities to compete with teams in trial simulations. 

Among the two Lee University teams that competed, junior math and English double major Molley Petty and Atherton won the Outstanding Attorney awards and Sydney Fant, junior history major, won the Outstanding Witness Award. One of Lee’s team ranked 5th overall in the competition, competing against schools such as Auburn University, University of Central Florida, and Georgia State University. 

Lee University’s Mock Trial club is now preparing for another competition located at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky later this month. 

This year’s Mock Trial Team includes Atherton, Rebecca Bays, Shauna Drinnon, Fant, Shelby Flannigan, Aidan Giavelli, Camden Greene, Lily Griffith, Matt Hoffmeister, Drew Johnson, Ruthie Kirby, Cassie Olson, Seth Palmer, Petty, Clara Politino, Jeremiah Ruff, David Steinmetz, and Taylor. 

For more information about Lee University’s Mock Trial Team, contact Taylor at [email protected].