Amelia Ciarleglio ’27
Features Editor
I had the opportunity to sit down and cross-examine the Holy Cross Mock Trial Captains about their exciting plans for the 2025 season. The captains shared that this year’s turnout for Mock Trial tryouts was the largest in the history of Holy Cross, reflecting a large incoming class of aspiring lawyers. Forty eager students tried out from all class years, vying for the available ten spots on the team. Returning members are hopeful to rise through the ranks of the teams and compete for spots on the highly competitive A team.
This year’s A Team Captains are seniors Elise O’Neill and Marc Marandola. Both are highly skilled and talented Mock Trial participants and have been demonstrating their leadership as expert attorneys and witnesses over the past four years at Holy Cross.
When asked about this upcoming season, O’Neill shared her excitement about the case, a criminal murder case that unfolds on a reality TV show blending elements of “Love Island,” “Survivor,” and “Big Brother.” The American Mock Trial Association crafted this case in light of America’s obsession with reality TV show: “Love Island.” The A-team captains agreed that this year’s case is the most fascinating in their college career. Marandola shared that his goal for this year was “set a new precedent for Holy Cross Mock Trial and to bring the A, B, and C Teams together to share skills, communicate, and succeed.”
Beyond the A team, the impressive B team captains, Henry Meiser and Sophie Nourani, are just as equally energized for the upcoming season. Meiser stated that he wants to work as a team “to approach litigation with a higher level of skill” to “work as a strong team.” Nourani shared her excitement to return to the team and is looking forward to Regionals and that she is “thrilled to work with really talented people and work towards Regionals,” a competition she is greatly looking forward to help show off the team’s hard work and dedication.
Furthermore, Marandola shared that one of the most exciting things about this year’s team is that, “C Team has the best leadership it’s ever had,” which is instrumental in the team’s future growth.
C-team Captains, juniors Amanda Masse, Maggie Baughman, and Molly Coghan are a tremendously talented trio leading the C-team this year. They are crucial assets to the team, and are very passionate about this season. Masse shared that she is “excited to delve into the case and help members of the C-team further develop public speaking skills.” Baughman, an instrumental witness in the team’s past success, shares that she is “excited to teach the C-team members how to act as expert witnesses and coach alongside her talented co-captains.” The ability to act as a witness and possess an attorney’s skill set is a significant point of development that the captains hope to expand. Additionally, Coghan stated she is “eager to collaborate with the new and very talented members of the team,” and she is looking forward to preparing the team for stiff competition. To get everyone into the competitive mindset, the C-team captains shared their plan to watch “My Cousin Vinny” with the team to warm them up for a big competition.
Furthermore, O’Neill expressed that she is overjoyed to see the significant interest for the Mock Trial team as she can “graduate happily knowing mocktrial is stronger than ever,” and that the “program is thriving with our wonderful coaches, co-captains, returning members, and new members.” Stay tuned to see all the team accomplishes this season by following @holycross.mocktrial on Instagram!
Mock Trial Captains’ Favorite Reality TV Shows:
Marc Marandola: Not a reality TV enthusiast
Elise O’Neill: “Dance Moms”
Henry Meiser: “Dance Moms”
Sophie Nourani: “Survivor”
Molly Coghan: “The Bachelor”
Amanda Masse: “The Bachelor”
Maggie Baughman: “Survivor”
Featured image couresty of @holycross.mocktrial on Instagram
Copy Edited by Charlotte Collins ’26
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