Verdict: First Place for OHIO Mock Trial at SUNY-Buffalo Invitational

This year’s Ohio University Mock Trial Team competed successfully in the “Buffalo Bullpen” Mock Trial Invitational Competition in Buffalo, New York on November 8-9, 2025. At the tournament Ohio University’s Green team racked up an astounding seven wins and only one loss, taking first place for the tournament invitational. Other teams competing at the invitational included Carnegie Mellon University, Syracuse University, University of Rochester, and Brandies University. 

In mock trial competitions, every trial is judged by two judges: a presiding judge and a scoring judge. It takes the ballots of both of these judges to win the trial.

On top of their first place prize, four students were singled out as award winning witnesses and attorneys, with Katie Buschle recognized as an outstanding attorney, and Maahi Patel and Sara Kraus each recognized as outstanding expert witnesses. Furthermore, Sydney Gross was recognized as an outstanding witness twice for her portrayal of an expert witness on both the Prosecution and Defense of Ohio University’s Green Team. 

After winning an outstanding attorney award, Bushle said the mock trial team’s trip to Buffalo was a "huge success and made for an incredibly memorable weekend." 

"I was honored to earn an outstanding attorney award, and we took home the first place trophy with an undefeated record," Bushle said. "Our team came back not only with some new hardware for the Center for Law, Justice and Culture, but also a closer bond and motivation for our upcoming regional competition.”

OHIO Mock Trial is affiliated with the Center for Law, Justice & Culture and is coached by Larry Hayman Esq., director of legal engagement and pre-law program, and Ashley Johnson, Esq., assistant mock trial coach.