Mock Trial Teams Prepare for Regional Tournament

Truman’s two mock trial teams will travel to the regional championships Feb. 11-12, in St. Louis with a successful record under their belts. The teams have competed at Quincy, Ill., Kansas City, Mo., and Columbia, Mo., so far this season.

The varsity team placed 10th, and the junior varsity team finished in the top 20 in their most recent tournament at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

In individual rankings, David Johnson, senior political science major from Kansas City, Mo., has received two awards for his legal advocacy and one honorable mention. Josh Jones, junior political science major from Kirkwood, Mo., has received an attorney award. Erin Gissel, senior psychology major from Pewaukee, Wis., and Kevin Chase, junior political science major from University City, Mo., have earned witness awards for their portrayals.

To qualify for the regional tournament, Truman’s teams had to place in high standings against 28 other teams from Missouri, Illinois and beyond. The regionals, at Washington University (St. Louis) will determine who goes on to the American Mock Trial Tournament March 18-20, in Richmond, Ky.

Gissel, Johnson and Jones are varsity team members. Additional varsity members include Brad Brown, sophomore pre-education major from Dexter, Mo.; Megan Pfister, sophomore psychology major from St. Louis; Andy Rodderick, sophomore pre-business administration major from Des Peres, Mo.; and Chris Sumski, freshman health science major from St. Louis. Junior varsity members include Shelly Coffman, freshman justice systems and psychology double major from Anderson, Mo.; Michael Connelly, freshman economics and pre-business administration major from Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Bryan Gelecki, freshman political science major from Papillion, Neb.; Amy Rowden, freshman physics and economics major from Dixon, Mo.; Mary Rybak, junior communication disorders major from Springfield, Ill.; Ben Sonnenberg, junior political science major from Springfield, Mo.; and Kelly Wikstrom, junior communication major from Sedalia, Mo.