Northwood University Mock Trial opened its 2026-27 competition season with an impressive performance at Purdue University’s Boilermaker Brawl Invitational Tournament, bringing home the tournament win, seven individual awards, and the Spirit of AMTA Award.
Competing against multiple teams from institutions including Purdue University, Ohio University, and Indiana University Indianapolis, two Northwood teams stood out among the tournament’s top programs.
Team Navy captured first place overall, leading the field and demonstrating the depth and talent of Northwood’s nationally competitive program. The team was led by standout performances from Gabriel Laske of Macomb, who earned both an Outstanding Attorney Award and an Outstanding Witness Award, and Maze Gusa of Ubly, who received an Outstanding Attorney Award. Other students on this team included Logan Bellinger of Midland, Isabella DeLong of Saginaw, Kathleen Fenoll of Linden, Johnathan Schwegler of Grand Blanc, Gabrielle Shelton of Bay City, Conrad Waldie of Frankenmuth, and Sophia Whitten of Chatham, Illinois.
Team Maroon earned the tournament’s Spirit of AMTA Award, an honor voted on by fellow competitors and presented to the team that best exemplifies the American Mock Trial Association’s core values of professionalism, civility, and integrity throughout the competition.
Team Maroon also produced several exceptional individual performances and finished fourth overall. Barrett Tefft of Davison earned two Outstanding Attorney Awards and received perfect ranks across every ballot. Excellent Abikphi of Midland and Laina Tomei of Shelby Township were each recognized with Outstanding Witness Awards, giving Team Maroon more individual award winners than any other team at the tournament. Other students on Team Maroon included Vaughn Clark of Fenton, Tyler Essex of Saginaw, Tucker Gault of Endicott, New York, Aaron Harvey of Saginaw, Jersee Haslett of Brown City, Conor O’Brien of Hartland and Winston Wilcox of Camden.
The tournament was particularly significant because it marked the season’s first collegiate mock trial competition for Northwood’s freshman class, explained Northwood Mock Trial Coach Jacob Walters. The event provided valuable competitive experience and represented the beginning of what the program refers to as “climbing class,” the process through which new competitors develop the skills, confidence, and courtroom presence needed to succeed at the highest levels of collegiate mock trial.
“The program’s success is credited to the hard work of the competitors at Boilermaker Brawl, the dedication of the coaching staff, and the contributions of students who were unable to attend the tournament,” Walters said. “The sprint to our first tournament of the season takes a village. I am extremely grateful to our competitors who were not in scoring roles this tournament, as well as the entire coaching staff, including our Assistant Coaches Riley Hayer and Stephen Dunn, and our Program Director Dr. DeLois Leapheart, for their dedication and support.”
“Success in mock trial is built one tournament at a time,” added Walters. “We may be in the early innings of the AMTA calendar, but seeing the fantastic growth of our freshmen at this tournament and the deep pool of returning talented veterans make me excited for the season ahead of us. We’re incredibly proud of how our students represented Northwood. Winning the tournament, earning the Spirit of AMTA Award, and seeing so many students recognized individually reflect not only their talent, but also their commitment to preparation, professionalism, and continuous growth.”
