Pacers Argue Case, Win Big in North Carolina

Aiken, SC (03/12/2020) — The brand new mock trial team at the University of South Carolina Aiken competed for the second time since their inception at the 2020 Chapel Hill, North Carolina Regional Tournament and came home tied for 6th place.

This competition marked only the second in the team's one-semester history.

"I'm extremely proud of these students and their commitment to the growing USC Aiken Mock Trial Team," said Dr. Matthew Thornburg, advisor.

"They have worked hard and have really performed exceptionally in their first two matches."

While the team fared pretty well in the intercollegiate courtroom contest, bringing home an honorable mention and being named an alternate for the opening round of the championship, two Pacers were recognized for their performances, out of all the students involved in the Chapel Hill event. George Sharpe was named an outstanding witness, and Matthew Rego was named outstanding attorney for prosecution.

During the event at the University of North Carolina, the Pacers competed against 20 other schools, including the University of Florida, Furman University, the University of Richmond, Duke University, George Washington University, and Emory University, among others. Furman consistently goes to the national championship and is currently ranked 52 across the country, out of approximately 700 collegiate mock trial teams.

As a team, the Pacers won three of their four matches. Their only loss was to Furman.

"Being in the company of Furman really stunned some of our students," Thornburg said.

"Our students held their ground, and although we lost to Furman, I was most impressed by our students and their performance in that round.

"They held their heads up high, and I'm so proud of them."

The Aiken mock trial team lost to the much bigger, more mature program at Furman by only 38 points. The Paladins crushed their other competitors, sometimes by more than 100 points.

Thornburg says that's pretty impressive considering the Pacers first gathered as a team in August.

The USC Aiken team grew out of pre-law students' desire to be more competitive when applying for law school after graduation. Out of the nine-member team, three seniors are currently applying to law school.

While other institutions require students to try out for their mock trial teams, Thornburg says the opportunity at USC Aiken is open to all students, regardless of major.

"We are very inclusive. Anyone and everyone who wants to be part of the mock trial team can join us. We will take as many as we can accommodate.

"We wanted every student who wanted to be a part of this to compete [in Chapel Hill]. They did, and they did fantastic."

In addition to bragging rights coming out of Chapel Hill, the USC Aiken team has garnered some national recognition. Every year, the American Mock Trial Association identifies first-year teams from all over the country. Currently, the organization is tracking the progress of 14 new teams, including USC Aiken.

"I discovered that this year, of all the schools across the country competing for the first time in Mock Trial, University of South Carolina Aiken has the best record nationwide," Thornburg said.

He hopes the program continues to grow and is working with a colleague, Dr. Beth Georgian, on developing courses associated with the mock trial team. Students could earn six credit hours if they take the classes.

Students who are currently on the USC Aiken Mock Trial Team include:

• Chastity Abney
• Ariel Capers
• David Fanchette
• Wilbur Holmes
• Tynetra McBride
• Qu'asia Oliver
• Matthew Rego
• Emma Robar
• George Sharpe

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