March 15, 2001
Sp65
Contact: Sarah
Maxwell
Director of Media Relations
507.646.4184
Written by Kathryn Spotts '04
Carleton Mock Trial Participates in Regional Invitational
Northfield, Minn.-The Carleton College Mock
Trial team competed in the North Central Regional Invitational
recently at Macalester College. The team, now in its fifth year
of existence, finished in sixth place with a 5-3 record. First-year
student Emily Brink earned the Best Attorney Award for her role
as a defense lawyer.
Although Carleton's team did not qualify to advance to the national
tournament, senior Jason Zieger, one of three team captains,
was pleased by the verdict.
"We were essentially one win from being one of the teams
to advance [to the consolation round], and one of our losses
was by only a single point. But that, I guess, is simply the
nature of Mock Trial. It's highly competitive and the teams always
finish very close." Unlike other nationally ranked teams,
the Carleton Mock Trial team does not have a coach.
The team presented four simulations of the fictionalized court
case Gilbertson v. Everest Experience, a civil suit alleging
criminal negligence by the Everest Experience guiding service
during an expedition to the summit of Mount Everest. The eight-person
team of six attorneys and two witnesses has been preparing the
case since early September.
The Mock Trial team practiced its presentation of the case at
the14th Annual Tri-State College Mock Trial Invitational, held
in January in Dubuque, Iowa. The tournament, hosted by Loras
College, showcased the legal dexterity and performing arts of
more than 40 of the most competitive teams in the Midwest. Carleton's
team, finishing with a 4-4 record, used judges' comments to improve
its performance for the regional tournament.
"The exhibition was a wonderful experience in terms of preparing
the team for the regional competition," said sophomore Ira
Nichols-Barrer.
Nichols-Barrer, a co-captain, delivered an award-winning performance
as the quirky meteorologist Dr. Andi Denman at the Tri-State
College Invitational. His legal maneuvering and portrayal of
the character earned nearly perfect scores and the title "Most
Effective Witness." His entertaining approach to the role
distinguished him from other witnesses.
"A lot of the competition is about the mechanics of trial
law," Nichols-Barrer said. "Putting these mechanics
in a more accessible context made it more appealing."
The young team's showing at the Tri-State Invitational and the
regional tournament bodes well for the future of the organization.
"We really played well, and played to win," Zieger
said. "I know that this was the most talented and polished
team we have had yet."
Team members are: Dan Becker, senior, Rochester, Mich., son of
David and Rita Becker; Emily Brink, first year, Lubbock, Texas,
daughter of James and Pamela Brink; Kate Fischer, sophomore,
Southbury, Conn., daughter of Jack and Virginia Fischer; Lindsay
Lange, junior, San Antonio, Texas, daughter of Jory and Melinda
Lange; Peter Markgraf, first year, Portland, Ore., son of Thomas
and Teresa Markgraf; Ira Nichols-Barrer, sophomore, Newton, Mass.,
son of Peter Barrer and Judith Nichols; Aren Wish, first year,
Waunakee, Wis., son of Joel and Carol Wish; Jason Zieger, senior,
Middletown, Conn., son of Roger and Mary Ann Zieger.
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