[202]MOCK TRIAL VICTORY PROPELS MTSU TEAMS TO NEW HEIGHTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 17, 2008EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

MOCK TRIAL VICTORY PROPELS MTSU TEAMS TO NEW HEIGHTS
Attorneys, Witnesses Capture Top Honor, Individual Awards at Mid-South Invitational

(MURFREESBORO) – The MTSU mock trial teams will travel to Duke University this weekend, Nov. 21-23, fresh from capturing first place in the Mid-South Invitational Tournament on their home campus for the first time since 1994. This past weekend, Nov. 14-16, a team led by junior Daniel Vaughn of Mt. Juliet posted a perfect 8-0 record in its division, and, on the basis of its strength of opposition, won the tournament over another 8-0 team from Georgia Tech in a field of 50 teams. In addition to Vaughn, team members included Rachel Harmon of Spencer and Austin Purvis of Memphis, who, with Vaughan, played attorneys, and Lani Lester of Memphis, Samantha Ferrell of Lebanon and Lee Whitwell of Pulaski, who played witnesses. Lester received a top witness award for her performance, Jacob Strait of Nashville won an award as an outstanding witness, and Nikke Vanderwalker of White House won an award as an outstanding attorney.
Each team at the tournament participated in four rounds (two on each side), which were each judged by two attorneys. MTSU’s team challenged the University of Mississippi, Rhodes College, the University of Georgia and Mississippi Valley State University.
Other MTSU teams had records of 6-2, 5 ½ to 2 ½, and 4-4 in the tourney, which MTSU has hosted since 1992
The Mid-South Invitational is one of the nation’s largest mock trial competitions. It began in 1989 at Rhodes College, subsequently moved to Bellarmine University, and has been at MTSU for the last 17 years. Teams attended from Alabama, California, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee. MTSU alumni and friends drove from as far away as Northern Virginia to help team coaches judge this tournament. Local judges and attorneys also responded to the call for help. Tournament results are posted at http://www.collegemocktrial.org/welcome/welcome.php, the website of the Des Moines-based American Mock Trial Association.
MTSU teams are coached by Dr. John R. Vile, Dean of the University Honors College, Brandi Snow, an MTSU mock trial alumna, and Dr. Amanda DiPaulo of the
Department of Political Science. Vile notes that the winning MTSU team was the same team that placed third in the nation’s first tournament of the year at St. Louis University. The coaches note that the team will have great momentum not only for this tournament but also for regional and national tournaments in February through April. Vile observes that team members have worked hard and cooperatively and that the strong performance of MTSU’s other three teams means the university will have a good field from which to choose members of its three regional teams.
In addition to receiving its first-place award, MTSU will house the traveling trophy (a large engraved gavel) over the next year.

--30—

ATTENTION, MEDIA: For a photo of the winning MTSU mock trial competitors and their huge trophy, contact Gina Logue in the Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-5081 or gklogue@mtsu.edu.