USC Aiken
USC Aiken Trial Team Takes to Mock Courtroom
Aiken, SC (12/17/2019) — The newly formed Pacer Mock Trial Team at the University of South Carolina Aiken has had a busy fall, participating in inaugural events and faring rather well.
Most recently, the team took on Coastal Carolina University and won their first match as prosecution.
"I am extremely proud of this dedicated team of students," said Dr. Matt Thornburg, faculty advisor for the mock trial team.
The judges at the Coastal Carolina event recognized several Pacers for their efforts, namely:
- Matthew Rego earned outstanding attorney, for both prosecution and defense, in the first round of the competition
- David Fanchette, a witness for the defense, earned outstanding witness overall in the second round
Before heading to Conway for the most recent match, the Pacer Mock Trial Team participated in their first competitive tournament at Atlanta's John Marshall Law School. There, the Aiken team took on Middle Tennessee State University.
"Although we did not win, both of our rounds were decided by a close margin, and the students performed exceptionally well in their first trials in school history," said Thornburg.
"The competition was stiff, and USC Aiken was not only the smallest school at the tournament, but we were the only school competing for the first time."
While Middle Tennessee State is seven times the size of USC Aiken, there was less than a 10 percent difference between the two institutions' scores.
At the end of that event, several Pacers earned special honors from the judges, including:
- Wilbur Holmes
- Tynetra McBride
- Matthew Rego
- David Fanchette
- Ariel Caper
"Every student not only performed well but conducted themselves with great professionalism," Thornburg said.
The next match takes place in January when USC Aiken goes up against the University of North Georgia.
"I am more than ever optimistic that our program is going to be successful and am incredibly proud of my team," Thornburg said.
Students on the Pacer Mock Trial Team include:
- Chastity Abney
- Ariel Capers
- David Fanchette
- Wilbur Holmes
- Tynetra McBride
- Qu'asia Oliver
- Matthew Rego
- Emma Robar
- George Sharpe
USC Aiken
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