This past weekend, RUMTA’s A and C Teams kicked off the fall season with a strong showing at George Washington University’s Habeas Hippopotamus Invitational. Rutgers A took 4th place in their division, facing teams from University of Massachusetts, Emory University, Hillsdale College, and Hamilton College. In addition to the team placing, A Team’s Aabha Joshi and Alice Militaru left their first tournament of the season with a 17-rank attorney award and an 18-rank witness award, respectively.
Meanwhile, Rutgers C faced teams from Dickinson University, Colorado College, University of Alabama, and University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The team was especially proud of its 6 new members who competed at their first tournament with poise, proving just how resilient RUMTA truly is!
Both A-Team Captain, Zoe Chang, and C-Team Captain, Michael Brestin, left the tournament feeling proud of their teams and motivated to improve for future competitions. RUMTA President, Veronica Bido, noted “there are not enough words to express my pride for both of the teams that competed this weekend. Our C-Team gave an outstanding performance, especially since many of our members were participating in their first collegiate mock trial competition. Our A-Team, composed of all women, did an amazing job, taking 4th place in our division. As President, I cannot wait for what's to come in the season ahead!”
This year, competitors will argue Joey Petrillo, as Administrator of the Estate of Genesis Petrillo v. Harper Martini and Peony Estates, a civil case about an alleged poisoning where teams can choose to pursue a charge of either battery or negligence per se.
Like most teams in the American Mock Trial Association, RUMTA had its apprehensions about competing in a virtual world. However, after a weekend of learning, practicing, and performing at our best, our teams are more than ready to tackle the world of “zoom mock” and any challenges that may come with it.