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UTA Mock Trial Team Earns Spirit Award at Texas A&M Tournament
Front row, left to right: Samantha McCain, Dev Aggarwal, Vianka Gutierrez, Luka Buksa, Dhruv Singh.
Back row, left to right: Talia Stein, Serene Issa, Fatimata Sy, Harry Coulter, Alexxous Walker, Majd Daoud.
In a setting where precision, preparation, and presence matter, the University of Texas at Arlington Mock Trial Team stood out for more than their arguments.
At the Texas A&M Mock Trial Tournament held Jan. 10–11 in Dallas, the UTA team earned the Maroon Out Spirit Award, recognizing the group that best exemplified professionalism, connection, and engagement throughout the competition. The honor highlighted how UTA students represented themselves—and their university—both inside and outside the courtroom.
Hosted by Texas A&M University, the tournament brought together mock trial teams from across the country for a weekend of competitive rounds and collaboration. Competing inside a working courthouse, UTA students navigated a professional legal environment that closely mirrors the spaces many hope to enter in their future careers.
Alongside the Spirit Award, the team delivered strong competitive results, securing double wins against TCU and finishing with a tie against Texas A&M. The outcomes reflected weeks of preparation, including time spent over winter break analyzing cases, refining strategy, and developing courtroom presence.
Collectively, the team’s performance underscored the value of mock trial as a high-impact, experiential learning opportunity—one that challenges students to think critically, communicate clearly, and collaborate under pressure. These experiences align with UTA’s mission to prepare students for leadership and professional success beyond the classroom.
That momentum continues later this semester, as UTA serves as a host site for an AMTA invitational mock trial tournament Feb. 14–15, welcoming collegiate teams from across the region. Listed among the American Mock Trial Association’s invitational events, the tournament provides students with additional competitive experience while allowing UTA Mock Trial members to step into leadership roles as both competitors and hosts.