Alma College’s Moot Court program has enjoyed an extraordinary stretch of competition this fall, with students demonstrating excellence across three major tournaments in Michigan, earning multiple qualifications for the next stage of national competition.

Strong Showing at the Ann Arbor Invitational

The season kicked off at the Ann Arbor Invitational on Oct. 26, where four Alma teams (eight students) took to the bench. Alma’s competitors made an immediate impression, with Owen Reed and Fayth Sanom tying for top-ranked orator — highlighting Alma’s strength in courtroom persuasion and analytical argument.

Regional Success at Saginaw Valley State University

On Nov. 7-8, three Alma teams traveled to the Great Lakes Regional, hosted by Saginaw Valley State University. Alma once again delivered standout performances. The team of Karol Pucek and Natalie Krause finished sixth overall, while Krause earned the third-ranked speaker award, bringing home the tournament’s gavel. Their high placement also positioned Pucek and Krause for advancement to the next round of nationals.

Alma Hosts Its First Pine Tree Regional

Alma College made program history by hosting its first-ever Pine Tree Regional on Nov. 21-22, welcoming programs from across the United States and Canada. Students and coaches traveled from institutions including UC-Berkeley, the University of Toronto, Boston University, the University of Virginia, Texas Tech, The College of Wooster and more.

The tournament brought together approximately 30 alumni, as well as faculty, local attorneys, and community judges, who helped oversee 61 rounds of argument across two days. A total of 11 Alma students competed, with two Alma pairings advancing from the round-robin stage into the knockout rounds; Kennedy Kalish and Arika Hines and Stephanie Rauch and Jackson Eelbode.

Rauch and Eelbode went on to finish eighth overall, while Rebecca Dean earned recognition as the 18th-ranked speaker of the tournament.

Advancing to PRONT

By finishing in the top quarter of their tournaments, both qualifying Alma teams have secured spots in the Preliminary Round of the National Tournament (PRONT). In January, Rauch and Eelbode will compete at the UC College of the Law, while Pucek and Krause will compete at the Memphis School of Law.

To move on to the Final Round of the National Tournament, held at Kentucky College of Law in February, each team will need to finish in the top 25 percent of their respective PRONT tournaments.