In just four days, the Oratory Mock Trial team will be entering their first county competition this year. For the past month, both the prosecution and defense teams have gone through several scrimmages against schools such as Mt. St. Mary’s, Mendham, and MKA in order to prepare for counties. There is no doubt that we know what we’re going to face next week, but as of now it can only be hoped that the team is ready. So far this season, the team has underwent several lineup changes and has under-performed in a few scrimmages. Mr. Martin, the Mock Trial coach, has high hopes for this prestigious group (which won the State Championship back in 2012). But what do the individual members of the Mock Trial team think of their chances in counties?

Michael Wandel, a two-year member of Mock Trial, said our team has, “a 60% chance of winning” based on our performances thus far. James Bowe, a first-year member and part-time witness for the prosecution team, said we have a “50% chance of winning.” Bowe added that he “Doesn’t know the competition we’ll face in counties that well,” so he is not entirely sure of our capability of winning. Joseph D’Angelo, a two-year member of Mock Trial and lawyer for the prosecution, said that the team “Will probably go 3-1,” and that “we’ll probably lose to a team that’s on our level… but our guys will try their hardest.” So, while there is no doubt that we can win some rounds, whether or not the team takes it all and goes to regionals is disputable.

As a co-captain, I know that certain team members will flourish in counties. However, it takes the strength of the entire team to win, and we will only know next week if our entire team is ready.