For the fourth time in a competitive history of 15 years, Rutgers University Mock Trial has advanced to the National Championship Tournament after taking third place at the Lancaster ORCS in Pennsylvania. With a record of 6-1-1 and a competitive score (CS) of 17, Rutgers A-Team will be among the top 48 teams in the nation competing in the National Championship in Chicago, Illinois.
Rutgers A went head to head with a competitive lineup, facing teams from Hamilton College, La Salle University, Tufts University, and Georgetown University. A-Team Captain, Zoe Chang, noted “I could not be more proud of everyone on my team. The fact that we have fun while competing at our best makes everything worth it.” The team’s success continued with Zoe receiving an 18-rank All-National Attorney Award!
Rutgers A-Team, from left to right: Aabha Joshi, Lucy Huang, Zoe Chang, Sunzida Ahmed, Emmett Laurie, Shivangi Patel, Humayoon Hashmi, A-Team Coach Michael Roberts, Esq.
RUMTA’s B-Team also had a strong showing in Lancaster, facing rounds with Wesleyan University, Tufts University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and SUNY Geneseo. B-team Captain, Ryan Ruffin, made sure to highlight their success: “I am so proud of each and every member of B Team, for not only making it to ORCS, but putting on their best performances and competing at their best against some of the most competitive teams in the country. I could not have asked for a better group of people to enjoy and endure my last competition with. It’s been a great three years RUMTA, thank you.” RUMTA congratulates Ryan for an exceptional competitive history, filled with wins, laughs, and unforgettable memories. B-Team made sure to show their strengths at their last competition of the season with both Ryan Ruffin and Veronica Bido receiving 18-rank All National Attorney Awards!
Rutgers B-Team, from left to right: B-Team Coach Bren Simonson, Esq., Laura Vorbach, Yosan Siele, Ryan Ruffin, Veronica Bido, Samarth Thakkar, Nandita Vasantha, B-Team Coach Christine Botvinnik
RUMTA President, Aabha Joshi, expressed her praise for the team: “I’m absolutely thrilled with the achievements of RUMTA this year. Our success is a culmination of weeks of hard work, persistence, and a commitment to excellence. Our eyes are set on using this momentum to propel us forward, not only in the National Championship but in years to come!”
All images by Chiaho Chang
In considering the context, The American Mock Trial Association boasts 763 competitive collegiate teams, replete with exceptionally talented and dedicated students. Only 48 of those teams advance to the national level of competition and Rutgers has worked tirelessly to secure a spot among them. Every competitor on the team has shown their ability to persevere and adapt to the progressively challenging levels of competition and, considering the unprecedented growth, it’s safe to say we’re not stopping anytime soon.