ECC Mock Trial team takes 1st place at invitational

Elgin Community College Mock Trial team members went into the final round of the inaugural Golden Gavel Mock Trial Invitational this weekend wanting to win.

As it turns out, they did.

The ECC students — who are majoring in everything from theater to pre-law — had an undefeated weekend of competition on their home turf, finishing first against 13 other teams from six states.

The mock trial teams this year argued a criminal case in which someone was accused of killing the daughter of the state’s attorney while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Practicing attorneys and judges from throughout Kane County headed up each of the four trials that made up the two-day competition.

The whole weekend went off “without a hitch,” according to ECC Mock Trial coach Ron Kowalczyk.

ECC hosted a dinner Saturday night in the University and Business Center and also provided boxed lunches Sunday afternoon.

“We definitely wanted to make a good impression by putting on a top-notch tournament,” Kowalczyk said.

ECC might be the first community college to host such a tournament, and it is one of only a handful of community colleges to compete in the American Mock Trial Association.

North Central College freshman Brandon Sarkauskas appreciated the elaborate white tablecloth dinner Saturday night. His teammates also said it was nice their coaches didn’t have to guest judge like in other tournaments that are short volunteers.

“I think we’ll definitely be back next year,” Sarkauskas said.

ECC’s team has had a successful season so far, placing third at a recent tournament at Quincy University in Quincy, Ill. On Sunday, it defeated Iowa’s Cornell College team in the final round of the Golden Gavel Invitational.

Anthony León participated in high school mock trial, and the 27-year-old is once again competing, this time balancing the extracurricular with classes, a part-time job at a Naperville law firm and raising his 3-year-old daughter.

Team captain and lone returner Judie Spence said being on the team has helped her get over a fear of public speaking, has improved her teamwork skills and has given her the opportunity to apply what she learns in a classroom in a trial setting.

That’s what León is most appreciative of, citing more trial experience than many of his work colleagues.

“It’s the life experience — you can’t teach that,” León said.