After months of hard-work, dedication, and modifying case theories, Rutgers Mock Trial has secured two bids to the Open Round Championship Series (ORCS)! Rutgers A-team and C-team competed at American University’s Regional Tournament in Washington, D.C. from February 14th to February 15th and Rutgers B-team competed at Stevenson University’s Regional Tournament in Owing Mills, MD from February 21st to February 22nd. ORCS is the semi-final level of competition in collegiate mock trial and both Rutgers A and B are advancing to the ORCS in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
A historic weekend came to an end as Rutgers A took first place at their Regionals with a record of 8 wins and 0 losses! They faced rounds with Shippensburg University, Fordham University-Rose Hill, Seton Hall University, and Franklin & Marshall College. A-Team Captain, Zoe Chang, remarked “every person on the team brought their A game and we hope to maintain the same momentum at ORCS.” Keeping in line with their victory streak, A-Team’s Zoe Chang, Aabha Joshi, and Humayoon Hashmi all walked away with awards. Zoe Chang solidified her role as an up-and-coming double threat, having received a stellar 19-rank attorney award and a 19-rank witness award. RUMTA President, Aabha Joshi kept up the success with her 17-rank attorney award. And last—but most definitely not least— A-Team senior, Humayoon Hashmi, left his mark at his last Regionals with a 19-rank attorney award and a 16-rank witness award.
C-Team also made a lasting impression with an impressive 4.5 wins. They faced a competitive lineup, having rounds with Lehigh University, American University, Haverford College, and SUNY, Binghamton University. C-Team junior, Ajoke Adetula, won a 16-rank attorney award while Winnie Zhu, a freshman, received a 17-rank attorney award. C-Team, composed primarily of new members, established that they are a force to be reckoned with. That sentiment was especially echoed by C-Team Captain, Kimberly Mohabeer, as she noted “our whole team has shown unbelievable growth throughout this season. We had a lot of last minute changes and through a ton of teamwork, every member was able to adapt quickly and executed their parts flawlessly.” RUMTA commends C-Team for its phenomenal performance and even more phenomenal season!
Images by Chiaho Chang
Meanwhile, B-team made sure to uphold Rutgers’ successful track record with 5.5 wins in Maryland. They faced University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Wesleyan University, and both Temple University’s A & B Team. “This year, Regionals was one of the best competitions I’ve been to as far as competition, organization, and success. Seeing each and every member of B-Team bring their best competitive performance is what made me the most proud,” said B-Team Captain, Ryan Ruffin. B-Team gave their absolute best and was no stranger to awards as the team’s unstoppable Veronica Bido took home a 19-rank attorney award, the only competitor to do so at her Regionals.
Left to right: B-Team Captain Ryan Ruffin, Margarita Weissman, B-Team Coach Bren Simonson, Yosan Siele, Veronica Bido, Nandita Vasantha, Samarth Thakker
If anything is to be taken from RUMTA’s overall performance at Regionals, it’s that the team is strong and only getting stronger!