The Fresno State Mock Trial team is sending an “all-star” group to the American Mock Trial Association’s April 11-13 National Championship Tournament in Orlando, Fla. for the first time in its nine-year history — but is trying to scrunch up funding for traveling.
Fresno State, which was represented by two groups in the March 8-9 Opening Round Championship Series, will live to prosecute another day after its “B-team” secured it a spot in the 48-team championship tournament.
Members of the two teams Fresno State sent to ORCS — the “A-“ and “B-teams,” comprised of the program’s most seasoned and experienced members — are combining to form a team composed of the best witnesses and attorneys to compete at nationals.
“We are so thrilled to finally be going to nationals,” said Hailey Bonds, a team captain and “all-star” team member.
“The coolest moment in my entire four years of mock trial happened as we got the bid for nationals during the awards ceremony. Every single team in the entire room stood up for us. It just went to show how much everybody loves our program.”
Fresno State pulled upsets at ORCS to grab the sixth and final qualifying spot for nationals, beating out Cal Poly, University of Arizona and USC — the “sweetest of all,” said head coach Gordon Par of Fresno’s McCormick Barstow, LLP in an email.
The “B-team” consisted of Grant Mason, Simone Leighty, Samantha Williamson, Kaitlyn Sims, Kevin Piercy, Ryan Sharp, Claudia Salinas, Deasha Brown and Gurch Dhillon.
The “all-star” team includes Bonds (who won a second consecutive outstanding attorney award at ORCS), Mason, Sims, Brown, Piercy, Salinas, Gage Marchini, Ashley Eggleston, Andrew Bunting and Denise Barns.
This year’s case involved an armed robbery at an amusement park — upgraded to murder charges for ORCS. Teams of three trial attorneys and three witnesses represent the prosecution and the defense sides of the case.
Fresno State’s success this year seemed to take the mock trial community by surprise — including Fresno State.
“Unfortunately, we did not budget for travel to the national finals,” Park said, “so we have no money to pay for plane tickets, hotel and rental vans.”
The Mock Trial program is accepting tax-deductible donations to help with fundraising efforts to travel to nationals. For more information, contact Kent Karsevar of the University Development office at 559-278-4381.