Carleton Mock Trial Participates in Regional Invitational

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.