Hillsdale College Mock Trial Teams to Compete in National Championship Tournament
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale’s Mock Trial “A” Team qualified to compete at the final round of national competition hosted by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) after a successful opening round championship series (ORCs). The team competed against more than 500 teams from university programs across the country without divisional separations.
Following a placement of sixth and seventh in their initial round of regional tournaments, both Hillsdale “A” and “B” teams won bids to compete in the ORCs to contend for a seat at nationals. The teams presented their arguments in DeKalb, Illinois, from March 18-20 at Northern Illinois University.
“Even though this is my third year doing Mock Trial, it was my first year competing in-person at ORCs,” junior Ethan Tong said. “It was a tough competition, but the quality of competition was so much more enjoyable, even if there was a little more stress.”
Hillsdale’s “A” team compiled a 6-2 win-loss record, competing directly against Dartmouth A, Dartmouth B, Oregon A, and Tufts A.
Jean-Luc Belloncle (’21), and Abby Davis (’25), won All-National attorney awards. Njomëza Pema (’25), won an All-National Witness award. Mattis Belloncle, Caleb Sampson, Allison Dillow, Curtis Herbert, Konrad Verbaarachott, and Justin Lee also won bids.
“The students arrived back on campus elated with their first bid to nationals,” said Kirstin Kiledal, professor of rhetoric and public address. “After reaching ORCs five times, only to lose by one ballot, they have succeeded.”
Hillsdale’s “A” team, coached by John Church, earned its first bid to the AMTA National Championship Tournament in its ORC. The National Championship Tournament will be held in April in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Elizabethtown College will host the event from April 8-10.
View photos of the teams here.