[172] MTSU Mock Trial Squad Wins 48-Team Mid-South Tournament

FOR RELEASE: Nov. 14, 2011

EDITORIAL contact: Gina E. Fann, 615-898-5385 or Gina.Fann@mtsu.edu
MTSU mock trial contact: Dr. John Vile, 615-898-2152 or John.Vile@mtsu.edu


MTSU mock trial squad wins 48-team Mid-South tournament

MURFREESBORO — An MTSU team was crowned Mid-South Mock Trial Invitational Tournament champion at Middle Tennessee State University Nov. 11-12.

The tournament, which has been held annually at MTSU for 20 years, is among the largest and most prestigious in the nation.

This year’s tournament, which was held in the Business and Aerospace Building, featured 48 teams from 24 colleges and universities in 11 states. Because of its size, the tournament was divided into two 24-team divisions, each of which competed for four rounds (two on the prosecution and two on the defense), each with ballots from two judges.

In one division a team from the University of Central Florida earned first place with an 8-0 record. Teams from the University of Central Florida (7-1), Vanderbilt University (7-1), the University of Georgia (6-2) and Southern Methodist University (5½-2½) respectively took second, third, fourth and fifth place in this division.

A team headed by MTSU senior Rachel Harmon of Atlanta, Ga., captured first place in the other division with an 8-0 record, followed by teams from the University of Georgia (7-1), the University of Central Florida (6½-2½), the University of Georgia (6-2) and Rhodes College (6-2.)

Because the teams MTSU faced had stronger win/loss records, this team also received the tournament’s traveling gavel. Samantha Farrish, on another MTSU team, also received a top-10 attorney award.


In addition to Harmon, the MTSU winning team consisted of Zac Barker and Constance Grieves, who also played attorney roles, and Chris Hardman, James Johnson, Curtis Strode and Chanekka Pullens, who played the roles of witnesses.
The team faced Kennesaw State University in the first round, the University of Georgia in the second round, the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the third round and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in the fourth round.

Vile said MTSU’s 8-0 record especially was impressive because the team handed UT- Knoxville UAB their only losses.

Dr. John R. Vile, dean of the University Honors College, and local attorneys Brandi Snow and Shiva Bozarth, coach the MTSU teams. MTSU mock trial alumni and members of the local bar help with judging.

For the first time in its 20-year history, the tournament offered continuing legal education credit for interested Tennessee attorneys, Vile said.

Teams will continue invitational tournaments in December and January before going to regional and national competitions from February through April.

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