Iona College Mock Trial Team Wins Regional Tournament, Beating Yale, Wellesley, UPenn, and Boston College; Earns Bid to National Championship

New Rochelle, NY (February 26, 2013) The Iona College Mock Trial Team won the regional tournament this past weekend in New Haven, CT and became one of the top seven teams in the 22-team field to earn bids to the Opening Rounds of the National Championship, which will be held at the United States Federal Courthouse in Philadelphia, PA on March 23 and 24.

Front left to right: Joshua Myree, Kimberleigh Costanzo, Anastasia Nitis (Co-Captain), Mary Ann Gallucci (Co-Captain), Amy Wert
Back left to right: Adam Detsky (Coach), Isaac Gilwit (Coach), Joseph Nwokeabia, Zachary Benoit, Michael Gelfand (Coach), Ronald Distante

The top seven teams were: Iona College, 6 wins -1 loss - 1 tie, UPenn, 6-2, Wellesley A, 6-2, Boston College, 6-2, Yale University, 5-2-1, Lafayette College, 5-2-1, Wellesley B, 5-3

“Although we have qualified for nationals for the past five years in a row, this was the team's first-ever Regional Tournament championship,” said Coach Adam Detsky, Esq.   In order to win the tournament, the team had to overcome one of the toughest draws in the tournament - including two teams from Yale University, a team from Brandeis and a team from Southern Connecticut State University.   The team will travel to the opening rounds of the national tournament with the hopes of increasing its national ranking, which is already among the top 15% in the country. “This impressive victory validates the hard work and dedication of Iona students who have committed themselves to achieving excellence. We're very proud,” said Brian J. Nickerson, PhD, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“The tournament was also a spectacular success for the team on an individual award level,” stated Coach Detsky.  Anastasia Nitis '14 and Kimberleigh Costanzo '14 were again recognized as among the best advocates in the competition.   Ronald Distante ’15 also was recognized as an All-Region attorney - his first time receiving such recognition.  Joshua Myree '15 was recognized as one the top 10 witnesses at the competition, his first individual honor on the team.   Along with Mary Ann Gallucci '14, who also won this honor twice this year, the team has had five of its eight members win individual awards at various competitions throughout this tournament season, a new record for the program.

In addition to the individual award winners, the team pulled out its strongest regional tournament performance in its 10-year history with significant contributions from Zachary Benoit '13, Amy Wert '14 and Joseph Nwokeabia '16.  The team is coached by practicing attorneys Adam Detsky and Michael Gelfand.  They are assisted by Isaac Gilwit '09 and by several past team members including Nadia Niazi '10 and Amanda DeRosa '09.  

Founded in 1940, Iona College is a four-year private, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers and American Catholic higher education. It is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs.

For questions or more information please contact:
Dawn Insanalli
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
Office: (914) 637-2726
Fax: (914) 637-2711
dinsanalli@iona.edu