(Image Courtesy of @umlmocktrial) “The Mock Trial A Team after their historic ORCS tournament finish.”

Collin Gallagher

Connector Staff

In a groundbreaking moment for UMass Lowell, the UMass Lowell Mock Trial A Team secured their first-ever bid to the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) National Championship in Cleveland, Ohio, following an impressive 5-3 victory at the Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS). This landmark achievement is a testament to the dedication and determination of the students, who have risen from underdogs to national contenders.

Dr. Francis Talty, the architect behind creating the Mock Trial program at UMass Lowell, reflected on the team’s remarkable journey. Talty established the program to give students hands on legal experience and to foster critical thinking and teamwork skills. “The Mock Trial A Team has been to ORCS five times… Going to Nationals now is like winning your bracket in the NCAA tournament. It’s an extraordinary moment for UMass Lowell.,” Talty said.

As the only public university team advancing from their region, UMass Lowell’s Mock Trial A Team has defied all expectations, showcasing that determination, preparation, and teamwork can compete with and surpass the resources and reputations of prestigious private institutions. Notably, teams from esteemed universities such as Columbia, Dartmouth, and Brown did not secure bids to nationals, showcasing this remarkable achievement of UMass Lowell and this team.

This historic victory has also drawn praise from UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, who emphasized its significance for the reputation of the university. “Making it to nationals places our students alongside teams from Ivy League institutions and major state universities,” Chancellor Chen noted. “It’s an extraordinary testament to their capabilities and hard work.”

President David Levenson, in his senior year, underscored the team’s relentless determination: “That moment we found out we made nationals was the best moment of my life. But we’re not done yet, we are here to win the whole thing.” Levenson also highlighted the immediate drive of the team, noting that minutes after qualifying, they were already strategizing for the next round.

Professor David McCauley, the team’s faculty advisor and coach of the A team, praised the team’s efforts, as did Robert Callahan, who started coaching for the team at the beginning of this season and helped guide the organization at ORCS. McCauley remarked, “They’ve impressed me every step of the way. They’re already strategically preparing for every scenario in Cleveland.”

The students describe their journey as transformative. Lydia Robert, a newer member initially nervous about public speaking, said, “If you’re intimidated by public speaking, join Mock Trial. Everyone wants the best for each other; they help you learn and grow.” Lydia described the victory moment as surreal, especially noting the judges’ surprise when they learned UMass Lowell had triumphed over Ivy League competitors. She reflected, “It felt good to get that bid to nationals. People often think of UMass Lowell as an engineering school, but this shows our strength across all disciplines.”

Rena McFall, recognized with multiple awards this season, shared insights into her intense character preparation, explaining, “I’d literally sit at my desk for hours, talking out loud to myself, perfecting the voice and humor of my character. Getting first place on half of the ballots at ORCS felt phenomenal.” Rena emphasized the historic nature of the team’s achievement, “Knowing we beat these insanely prestigious schools means a lot. People saw us as underdogs, and we proved them wrong.”

Sasha Orr, a second-year member of the Mock Trial A Team, vividly recalled her emotional reaction to the victory, sharing, “I genuinely did not stop sobbing for twenty minutes. It was all the stress from the weekend releasing at once. The moment they announced our win, my body lost all control. I’ve never felt happier.”

Sheeba Nabiryo, a sophomore and the communications chair for the team, emphasized the closeness and familial nature of the team, saying, “Mock Trial has become my family. It’s a highlight of my day. Even when we disagree, it’s always constructive. Helping witnesses develop their characters is my favorite part, I love seeing our hard work come to life during competitions.”

Sowndaryan Jayaprakashanand, a sophomore and first-year competitor, described his intensive preparation as a medical expert witness: “I spent hours every day researching medical terms, diagrams, and watching simulations to prepare. Being part of this success in my first year is exhilarating. I’m now shifting gears to prepare as a mechanical engineer witness for nationals, which requires just as much dedication and research.”

Declan Reidy, a key member of the Mock Trial A Team, recounted his initial experience joining Mock Trial. “I saw the 250-page document of evidence, affidavits, and pleadings and thought, ‘This is too much.’ But the team’s support convinced me to stay. Now, Mock Trial is one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career,” Declan said. Declan notably earned an Outstanding Attorney award at ORCS. “We’re constantly pushing each other. It’s incredible.”

Duncan Cowie, a sophomore majoring in English and political science, described his role as a witness akin to theater, adding, “It’s about memorizing your character and script. But when opposing counsel starts their cross-examination, it’s all improv. That challenge is incredibly fun.” Duncan expressed clear ambitions, saying, “I wanna go to nationals, and I wanna beat Yale, and I wanna beat Harvard. I want our names put up there.”

Looking forward, the team is deep in preparation for nationals. President Levenson encapsulates their attitude clearly: “We like being underdogs. But it’s time to turn respect into expectation.” Support for the team’s trip to Cleveland is ongoing, with Chancellor Julie Chen and the advancement office actively seeking donations. Chen stated, “We will ensure our team gets there. It’s critical we support their historic journey.” The team’s motto, ‘Foot on the gas,’ echoed by many members, symbolizes their inspiring commitment to maintaining momentum as they prepare for nationals. UMass Lowell’s Mock Trial A Team, powered by once in a lifetime student leadership and supportive faculty guidance, stands ready not just to compete but to excel at the highest level, proving once again the strength, resilience, and talent of our university’s community.

40th AMTA National Championship Tournament​ April 4–6, 2025, Cleveland, Ohio

UMass Lowell Competition Roster (Nationals only):

David Levenson

Sheeba Nabiryo

Declan Reidy

Emily Johnson

Emily Lindtveit

Sasha Orr

Sowndaryan Jayaprakashanand

Duncan Cowie

Rena-Jae McFall

Lydia Robert