When Thinkfest doesn't cut it
Briana Gapsis
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
What happens when you go to a school as challenging as W&L? You compete, that's what. Every day, you face the challenges posed by your teachers and peers. However, some people take this to a whole new level. Sure, our athletic teams are phenomenal. They work hard, they play hard, and they deserve major props for their dedication and commitment. Especially considering the hoards of rabid fans we have cheering them on (hint, hint). However, lurking just outside of the lustrous limelight of D3 athletics are another set of competitors. While we've had varsity athletics for over a century, W&L's intellectually competitive teams are only just emerging.
Three years ago, W&L Mock Trial Team began competing, and they now blow their opponents away at invitational competitions in at UNC and Duke. At each event, the Mock Trial teams compete in four matches, facing tough intellectual competition and even tougher judges as they deliver each side of the case they've prepared case twice. "The competitive atmosphere at theseinvitationals is rather ridiculous," says junior Grant Milby, but our teams are ready. The team is even considering a motion to become recognized as an official class; with all the time they put in, they deserve some credit.
Right now, the mock trial team practices between three and five nights a week and regularly scrimmages teams in our region, purely for the joy of the challenge. Now that's commitment. Speaking of which, Valentine's Day is coming up and, according to Milby, "not only does the W&L Mock Trial Team administer a mental pounding of our opponents, we also carry the distinct advantage of not being the most horrendous group of socially awkward people you have ever met." So this might be a good time to go out and meet the team. Or at least congratulate them.
W&L's Mock Trial Team earned a position in the regional competition at Furman University this past weekend, and the A and B Teams received bids to go on to the Silver National Competition in St. Paul, Minnesota in March. If they win, they'll advance to the Gold National Competition at Stetson University in Florida, and they might just come back with some lovely new ten-gallons. The C Team, led by Allie Zeger, the only Mock Trial member with over one year of experience, missed a bid by barely half a point. The C Team had only three weeks to prepare their case while their competitors had months to get ready, and, to make their performance all the more impressive, they were 3-1 until they were hit by bad luck and a series of the best competitors at the match.
"This has been, by far, the team's best year," says Milby. "Last year was the first year that a team from W&L went to nationals, and this year we almost sent 3 teams. The program is steadily improving and gaining respect. In several years, W&L Mock Trial could end up being one of the top programs in the country."
While a spring chicken compared to the 134-year old football team, it's also among the most senior of our intellectually competitive teams. Taking a leaf from the Markheavens "Guide to Journalism," I'm going to leave you here with the tantalizing promise that, if you tune in next week, I'll introduce you to some more of our fledgling Quiz Bowl and Parliamentary Debate Teams.
Three years ago, W&L Mock Trial Team began competing, and they now blow their opponents away at invitational competitions in at UNC and Duke. At each event, the Mock Trial teams compete in four matches, facing tough intellectual competition and even tougher judges as they deliver each side of the case they've prepared case twice. "The competitive atmosphere at theseinvitationals is rather ridiculous," says junior Grant Milby, but our teams are ready. The team is even considering a motion to become recognized as an official class; with all the time they put in, they deserve some credit.
Right now, the mock trial team practices between three and five nights a week and regularly scrimmages teams in our region, purely for the joy of the challenge. Now that's commitment. Speaking of which, Valentine's Day is coming up and, according to Milby, "not only does the W&L Mock Trial Team administer a mental pounding of our opponents, we also carry the distinct advantage of not being the most horrendous group of socially awkward people you have ever met." So this might be a good time to go out and meet the team. Or at least congratulate them.
W&L's Mock Trial Team earned a position in the regional competition at Furman University this past weekend, and the A and B Teams received bids to go on to the Silver National Competition in St. Paul, Minnesota in March. If they win, they'll advance to the Gold National Competition at Stetson University in Florida, and they might just come back with some lovely new ten-gallons. The C Team, led by Allie Zeger, the only Mock Trial member with over one year of experience, missed a bid by barely half a point. The C Team had only three weeks to prepare their case while their competitors had months to get ready, and, to make their performance all the more impressive, they were 3-1 until they were hit by bad luck and a series of the best competitors at the match.
"This has been, by far, the team's best year," says Milby. "Last year was the first year that a team from W&L went to nationals, and this year we almost sent 3 teams. The program is steadily improving and gaining respect. In several years, W&L Mock Trial could end up being one of the top programs in the country."
While a spring chicken compared to the 134-year old football team, it's also among the most senior of our intellectually competitive teams. Taking a leaf from the Markheavens "Guide to Journalism," I'm going to leave you here with the tantalizing promise that, if you tune in next week, I'll introduce you to some more of our fledgling Quiz Bowl and Parliamentary Debate Teams.
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