Iona College Mock Trial Team Wins Third Place in First Tournament of the 2012-2013 Season

New Rochelle, NY (October 23, 2012) This weekend, the Iona College Mock Trial Team began its tenth year by attending its first tournament of the 2012-2013 competition season and earned an impressive third-place finish surpassing Ivy League universities such as Columbia, Harvard, Brown and Duke. Iona's team entered the tournament as the fifth lowest ranked nationally in the 22-field despite being ranked among the top 20% in the country. The tournament was held at Columbia University School of Law.

“In the face of tough competition, the team finished with a record of 6-1-1. That record put them in a tie with the University of Virginia, one of the top 10 schools in the country. The team ultimately finished in third place after mathematical tiebreakers were applied, making this the team’s best-ever finish at this tournament,” said mock trial coach, Adam Detsky, Esq.   

To earn their third-place finish, Iona defeated four teams positioned higher than them in the national rankings.  Iona, ranked 90th nationally out of 600+ teams, defeated competitors from Southern Methodist University (ranked #78 in the country), the University of Maryland (#66) and Yale (#80). The team then split ballots in the final round against St. John's University (#68).   

“Once again, our mock trial team performs well and demonstrates why their national ranking is well deserved. We are rightfully proud of their efforts,” said Provost Brian Nickerson, Ph.D.

The tournament was won by American University. Rounding out the top five were the University of Michigan (fourth place) and the Yale University team (fifth place).

The eight-member team includes one senior, three juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen: Zachary Benoit, ’13, Kimberleigh Costanzo, ’14, Ronald Distante, ’15, Mary Ann Gallucci, ‘14(Co-Captain), Marie Kalb, ’16, Joshua Myree, ’15, Anastasia Nitis, ’14 (Co-Captain) and Joseph Nwokeabia, ’16.

In addition to the third place finish, Kimberleigh Costanzo was honored as a top attorney at the tournament. The team's attorney coaches include Michael Gelfand with assistance from several Iona alumni including Amanda DeRosa, Sheena Wagaman and current law school students Nadia Niazi and Isaac Gilwit.   The next tournament will be held on December 1 and 2 at Yale University.

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