Published January 18, 2017
MONROE, La. — ULM’s Mock Trial teams competed in the sixth Annual Argo Invitational
Mock Trial Tournament this past weekend at the University of West Florida in Pensacola,
Fla.
The gold squad took first overall, going undefeated by sweeping the University of
Alabama, University of South Florida, Kennesaw State University, and Flagler College
for an 8-0 record.
The maroon squad finished 4-4, splitting matches against the University of Florida,
University of Central Florida, Mercer University, and Hamline University.
Gold squad lawyer Adam Nettles, senior political science major from Pineville, La.
said, “I am proud of the work of my team and coaches, especially considering that
it required defeating the University of Alabama.”
The team spent most of the winter break preparing for the tournament and practicing
the case. Team coach and local attorney, Bob Noel, said, “I am very proud of the fact
that we not only took first place, but we did so by winning every match and doing
so against some of the top ranked teams in the nation.”
Individually, Nettles and Isaiah Chavis, freshman political science major from Lafayette,
La., won best overall attorneys. Erin McManus, junior English major from Vacherie,
La. and Mollie York, senior social work major from Lake Charles, La. also received
individual awards for best witness.
On the win, Maroon squad witness McManus said, “We learn from each other every day,
and I'm looking forward to future success at our upcoming regional competitions. Overall,
I just could not be more proud of the ULM Mock Trial team as a whole.”
ULM’s Mock Trial Team was founded in 2013 by Noel, with assistance from ULM professors
Dr. Joshua Stockley and Dr. John Sutherlin. The teams are affiliated with the American
Mock Trial Association, the intercollegiate mock trial competition. Approximately
600 teams from over 350 universities and colleges will compete in 24 regional tournaments,
eight opening round championship tournaments and a national championship tournament
each season.
ULM’s Mock Trial team is the only team from Louisiana to ever advance from their regional
tournament to the national tournament which they have done for the last two years.
Faculty advisor and political science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley, remarked, “Our
mock trial team is another example of how the University of Louisiana Monroe is a
national university, as we academically compete with and even outperform other national
universities.”
Both ULM Mock Trial teams will compete next weekend at an invitational tournament
being hosted by the University of Alabama.
ULM will host the 3rd Annual Warhawk Mock Trial Jamboree in the Spring on campus in
the E. Orum Young Courtroom situated alongside Bayou DeSiard.
Team Members
Gold Squad
Attorneys: Adam Nettles (Captain), Olivia Sage, Jorden Johnson.
Witnesses: Erin McManus, Sarah Cheathem, Bree Bowie, Elliott Gonzalez, Trinity Coates.
Maroon Squad
Attorneys: Charles Dupree (Captain), Isaiah Chavis, Shelby Joyner.
Witnesses: Brianna Robertson, Mollie York, Taylor Houston, Nick McBride, Laura Moore.
Coaches: Bob Noel and Kyle Moore.
