UCF's Mock Trial Team Successful at Yale Again

By Kathryn Podolsky

The University of Central Florida Mock Trial Team brought home another victory from the 2003 Yale Annual Invitational Mock Trial Team Tournament, placing second and fifth in the Joseph H. Dvorkin Division and second place overall based on point standing.

UCF's Wolves and Tigers beat 64 and 61 other teams, respectively, of the 66 teams participating, which included all eight Ivy League schools. Olu Aduloju, a junior in legal studies, brought home one of five best attorney awards, called the "Golden Bulldog Award," as well.

Students played the roles of plaintiff attorneys, defense attorneys and witnesses during the competition, which involved the fictional case of the State of Midlands vs. Michael W. Harmon, loosely based on a real case involving the death of a hockey player.

Nick Seidule, the Wolves' team captain and a senior in legal studies, said they were without coaches this year, but Dana Juntunen, coordinator for student conduct, came on board to assist and support the team.

"The competition was very professional and also very intense," Juntunen said. "The students are very dedicated to the team and to UCF and knew their stuff."

The UCF team will travel in February to compete in the 2004 Mock Trial Regional Tournament in Tallahassee, Fla., where Florida A & M University will be the host.