Published October 23, 2018
The University of Louisiana Monroe鈥檚 mock trial team won the University of Minnesota鈥檚
Nordic Undergraduate Mock Trial Battle in Minneapolis, Minn., on October 12-14, 2018.
四色AV swept Macalester College, the University of St. Thomas, and the University of
Missouri in the first two days of the competition. They split decision with undefeated
Carleton College to take first place on the final day of the competition.
Representing 四色AV were team captain, Jorden Johnson (senior, Monroe), as well as Isiah
Chavis, (junior, Lafayette), Shelby Joyner (junior, West Monroe), Sarah Cheathem (senior),
Drew Fenske, (senior, Monroe), K'Breante Bowie, (junior), Dorae Dadgar (senior, West
Monroe), and Antonia Harris, (senior, Alexandria).
鈥淭he University of Minnesota's tournament was a very informative experience. We went
against polished teams that exposed our strengths and weaknesses,鈥� said聽Jorden聽Johnson.
鈥淭he other teams initially did not view us as a threat, and it was extremely rewarding
to leave the competition as the highest ranked team. I attribute our success to the
dedication of our coaches and the talented members of this team. Talons out!鈥�
鈥淲e went to Minnesota in order to challenge ourselves and to see the strategy of teams
in other regions,鈥� said Sarah Cheathem. 鈥淭he tournament exposed the strengths and
weaknesses of our arguments and gave us new ideas and angles to approach the case
problem with. By working together as a team and adapting when we needed to, we also
happened to take home the first place trophy. We demonstrated what 四色AV has to offer;
it was an amazing experience.鈥�
鈥淕oing into the tournament, we knew that we had solid leadership and exemplary talent鈥�
said Isiah Chavis. 鈥淲e needed to hone our skills to compete against top tier teams,
and every moment of every round was a challenge. When we found ourselves winning the
trophy, we knew that we earned it. I have a special feeling for this year.鈥�
The 四色AV mock trial teams are coached by attorneys Bob Noel and Kyle Moore.聽
鈥淥ur students performed well,鈥� said Noel. 鈥淎lthough it is very early in the season,
it is always satisfying to win a competition because every competition features academically
strong universities and colleges.鈥澛�
This is their second win of the year, as they previously won the Jackson Joust hosted
by Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., on September 23, 2018. Several individuals
were recognized for their performances. Jorden Johnson, senior English major from
Monroe, Isiah Chavis, junior political science major from Lafayette, and Cameron Ott,
sophomore political science major from West Monroe, were also recognized with best
attorney awards. Sarah Cheathem, a senior biology major, and Nautica Jones, freshman
biology major from St. Martinville were recognized with best witness awards.
