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Mock trial team to compete at Rice University this weekend

A group of Oklahoma Christian University students is heading from the classroom to the courtroom.

The Oklahoma Christian mock trial team will participate in an invite-only competition at Rice University’s Rice Bowl Invitational this weekend, Oct. 25-27. 

Thirteen different universities will participate in the competition with a total of 25 teams. Oklahoma Christian mock trial leader Turner Smith said this competition is different from any they attended last year. 

“This is like the regular season, as opposed to the playoffs, if a sports analogy works,” Smith said. “At the Rice Bowl, Rice University decides which universities it feels can compete at a high enough level to make their tournament a strong one. The fact that we got invited to the Rice Bowl is huge for our program. For us, this reaffirms that our program really can compete with those massive universities.”

The mock trial team has also received a significant invitation to the Green and Gold Tournament at Baylor University. Mock trial member Brighton Frost said she is proud of what the team has accomplished so far. 

Words cannot describe how amazing it was to find out our hard work last year was enough to be remembered by a successful and accomplished team like Rice’s,” Frost said. “It is uncommon for a brand-new program to perform like we did last year, going toe-to-toe with several amazing teams and holding our own. After seeing this success after one year of work, I am so excited to see where we go this year and the years following.”

During preparation, students spend a lot of time studying their roles in the year-long process, Smith said. 

“We spend the early part of our year making sure everyone grasps the relevant case law, statutes and the details of the case,” Smith said. “We spend time simulating real trial situations, like a certain witness’s cross-examination or a certain attorney’s opening statement.”

Frost said the tasks and preparation are different in each role. 

“I was a witness last year, and preparation included creating a character, memorizing direct examinations and affidavits,” Frost said. “This year, as an opening attorney, I need to write an opening statement, one or two direct examinations, two or three cross-examinations and memorize all of them.”

Junior Samuel Day said he enjoys being part of the mock trial team, even though he is not planning on going into law. 

“I love the competitive aspect of going directly against opposing teams,” Day said. 

With a major difference in both school size and operating budget, Smith said it can be tough to go against more experienced universities. 

“Whereas we can draw from a couple thousand students to build our team, many of these schools can draw from over 30,000 students,” Smith said. “Many of these programs are operating with enormous budgets that allow their programs to really look the part. It’s a testament to hard work that our students continue to have success against programs that have that luxury.”

Day said he does not think the sizes of the schools make a lot of difference. 

“Every school has the same number of people competing at a time,” Frost said. “We just have to be better than their six.” 

The mock trial competitions depict an actual trial as well as they can under the circumstances, which Smith said has been extremely beneficial to his education. 

“The mock trial program gave me the opportunity to gain practical experience in that field, and really see whether or not I wanted to pursue that as a career,” Smith said. “More than that, it’s made me a much better speaker and debater, and really strengthened my ability to think on my feet.”

Frost said the mock trial program is not only beneficial to the students, but to Oklahoma Christian University as well. 

“Our team’s successes allow OC to recruit a more diverse student base, attracting other successful and driven students that are interested in pre-law,” Frost said. 

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