Published October 23, 2018
The University of Louisiana Monroe’s mock trial team won the University of Minnesota’s
Nordic Undergraduate Mock Trial Battle in Minneapolis, Minn., on October 12-14, 2018.
ULM swept Macalester College, the University of St. Thomas, and the University of
Missouri in the first two days of the competition. They split decision with undefeated
Carleton College to take first place on the final day of the competition.
Representing ULM were team captain, Jorden Johnson (senior, Monroe), as well as Isiah
Chavis, (junior, Lafayette), Shelby Joyner (junior, West Monroe), Sarah Cheathem (senior),
Drew Fenske, (senior, Monroe), K'Breante Bowie, (junior), Dorae Dadgar (senior, West
Monroe), and Antonia Harris, (senior, Alexandria).
“The University of Minnesota's tournament was a very informative experience. We went
against polished teams that exposed our strengths and weaknesses,” said Jorden Johnson.
“The other teams initially did not view us as a threat, and it was extremely rewarding
to leave the competition as the highest ranked team. I attribute our success to the
dedication of our coaches and the talented members of this team. Talons out!”
“We went to Minnesota in order to challenge ourselves and to see the strategy of teams
in other regions,” said Sarah Cheathem. “The tournament exposed the strengths and
weaknesses of our arguments and gave us new ideas and angles to approach the case
problem with. By working together as a team and adapting when we needed to, we also
happened to take home the first place trophy. We demonstrated what ULM has to offer;
it was an amazing experience.”
“Going into the tournament, we knew that we had solid leadership and exemplary talent”
said Isiah Chavis. “We needed to hone our skills to compete against top tier teams,
and every moment of every round was a challenge. When we found ourselves winning the
trophy, we knew that we earned it. I have a special feeling for this year.”
The ULM mock trial teams are coached by attorneys Bob Noel and Kyle Moore.
“Our students performed well,” said Noel. “Although it is very early in the season,
it is always satisfying to win a competition because every competition features academically
strong universities and colleges.”
This is their second win of the year, as they previously won the Jackson Joust hosted
by Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., on September 23, 2018. Several individuals
were recognized for their performances. Jorden Johnson, senior English major from
Monroe, Isiah Chavis, junior political science major from Lafayette, and Cameron Ott,
sophomore political science major from West Monroe, were also recognized with best
attorney awards. Sarah Cheathem, a senior biology major, and Nautica Jones, freshman
biology major from St. Martinville were recognized with best witness awards.
