Thirteen might be unlucky for some, but for the James Lewis Family Miami Mock Trial Program, “thirteen” is just business as usual. The Miami Mock Trial program claimed its thirteenth consecutive regional championship February 12-13 at the University of Pittsburgh. Two Miami teams were assigned to the Pittsburgh regional this year along with twenty other teams from the region. The remaining two Miami teams are assigned to the University of Cincinnati region for the February 26-27 tournament.
The two Miami teams in Pittsburgh took first and fourth places to earn the maximum-allotted two bids to the national first round championship series tournament March 18-20 in Hamilton, Ohio hosted by Miami University and the Butler County Government Services Center. Eight national tournaments throughout the country will determine the final 48 teams to move on to the national championship tournament in April in Des Moines, Iowa.
The top Miami squad in Pittsburgh swept to the regional championship with the only undefeated record by taking two ballots each from the University of Cincinnati, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Oberlin University. Alycia Walker was named the tournament’s top attorney while Pavel Gurevich was named the top witness. Alex Block was also named an All-Region attorney along with Walker.
The second Miami squad dropped its opening round to the University of Michigan but then stormed back with a vengeance by sweeping victories over Ohio State, Wittenberg, and Carnegie Mellon to secure a national bid by finishing fourth. Mike Rhodes was named an All-Region attorney.
This year’s case focuses on Happyland Toy Company’s “Princess Beads”, a jewelry set for young teenage and pre-teen girls. The beads stick together with just a spritzing of water to make rings, necklaces, and bracelets. However, when two year old Joey Davis swallowed a few of the beads, the adhesive agent turned toxic and caused Joey’s death, at least according to Joey’s doctor. The company claims that Joey died from a pre-existing respiratory condition.
Members of the two squads qualifying for the national tournament are:
Pittsburgh Regional Championship Squad--
All-Region Attorney Alycia Walker, junior political science major from Cincinnati;
All-Region Witness Pavel Gurevich, junior finance major from Solon;
All-Region Attorney Alex Block, first year political science major from Evanston IL;
Michelle Markham, senior management major from Centerville;
Ian Ferrell, junior business economics major from Massillon;
Mike Woeste, sophomore political acience major from Westminster, CO;
Katie Law, sophomore philosophy major from Rochester NY.
Second Miami Squad—
All-Region Attorney Mike Rhodes, junior finance major from Cuyahoga Falls;
Dan Nickels, senior finance major from Knoxville TN;
Elizabeth Sams, junior political science major form Pickerington;
Katie Wallrabenstein, senior psychology major from Milan;
Joe Luizzi, junior history major from Newtown PA;
Brandon Patterson, first year political science from Shaker Heights;
Amielia Adams, first year biochemistry major from Shaker Heights;
Daniela Pierre-Bravo, sophomore international studies major form Lima.
The championship team is coached by Professor Dan Haughey and Gus Lazares; the second squad by Neal and Missi Schuett. The James Lewis Family Miami Mock Trial Program is directed by Professor Dan Herron.
The program is housed in the Richard T. Farmer School of Business but students from across campus participate. The School of Business also houses the Mock Trial Room in the business building. The Miami Program is currently ranked third in the nation out of over 300 colleges and universities fielding competitive teams.