This weekend SMU’s 16-member Mock Trial team won big at the Second Annual Great Southern Regional Mock Trial Competition.

Two SMU teams competed at the regional tournament, both qualifying for the national competition in Minnesota on March 16-18. Both SMU teams came away with five wins each, and Junior Brett Kohlhoffer and first-year Jessica Wikstrom received personal awards.

“I’m so proud of everyone,” said junior Ann Wyatt Little, president of SMU’s mock trial organization.

Despite travel expenses associated with traveling to the national tournament (air fare, lodging, etc.), and taking time away from Spring Break vacation, Little has no doubt that SMU will compete at full strength in March.

“We all have worked so hard and poured our hearts and souls into the case,” said Little. “We are willing to give up our Spring Break in order to compete.”

SMU Student Senate has been financially supportive in the past and will cover any competition entry fees, said Little, but all other expenses must be paid by the team members themselves.

“It [the expenses] is a bit of an obstacle, but we’re not going to let it stand in our way,” said Little.

Another challenge for the mock trial team is the new elements added to its case at nationals. One case is distributed throughout the country to all mock trial teams, which then compete in regional tournaments in January and February. If teams place high enough at the regional tournaments, they qualify for nationals. Once they have qualified, new affidavits and evidence are introduced.

The top three teams from the national competition move on to the national championship tournament in April. Last year, SMU placed fourth at the national competition, and Little believes that the team will do just as well, if not better, this year.

“I know we will be able to do it again. I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” she said.