Our MSU Mock Trial Team continues to impress in its inaugural campaign.
MSU political science senior Chase Coger won an “Outstanding Attorney” individual award at last weekend’s mock trial tournament hosted by the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Schools from across the nation competed in the tournament including University of Southern California, St. Louis University, Villanova University, and University of North Carolina Charlotte. Coger was one of only 14 mock attorneys out of 144 competitors at the tournament to win the individual award.
Coger becomes the first MSU student to win a mock trial award. Victoria Ogbeifun, freshman chemistry student, and Chris Johnson, senior philosophy student, both came within one point of also winning individual awards for their excellent performances at the tournament.
“I am very proud of Chase, as well as all the team members of MSU mock trial,” Dr. Jennifer LaPrade, MSU Mock Trial Head Coach and professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, said. “They are all new to mock trial this year, but have invested an incredible amount of time and energy to practice their roles each week and learn courtroom procedures and Rules of Evidence. They are making MSU proud.”
Coached by LaPrade and assistant coach Greene County senior assistant prosecuting attorney Elizabeth Fax, thirteen MSU students competed in the tournament held on Jan. 9-10, including:
MSU Team 1
Kara Luster—Team Captain, junior, Criminology major
Christopher Johnson—Team Captain, senior, Philosophy major
Victoria Ogbeifun, freshman, Chemistry major
Alison Moore, junior, Criminology major
Olivia Marks, junior, Criminology major
Claire Smith, junior, English major
MSU Team 2
Cassandra Engle—Team Captain, senior, Criminology and Geography double major
Reid Parker—Team Captain, senior, Political Science major
Chase Coger, senior, Political Science major
Emily Hicks, junior, Criminology major
Karissa Walker, junior, Marketing major
Rebecca Neumann, junior, Psychology major
Trystan Grembocki, senior, Criminology major
MSU’s next mock trial tournament is on Jan. 23-24 hosted by Dillard University.