The Carthage College Mock Trial team has finished its 2025-26 competition season. Katherine Long, from Fox River Grove, Illinois, was a member of the Red team.
Mock Trial is offered as a course in the criminal justice department and is open to students from any major who are interested in law, criminal justice, politics, or debate. The course covers all aspects of trial court proceedings and the litigation process.
This season, the team competed in the American Mock Trial Association circuit and ended its tournament run in February in Madison, Wisconsin. The Carthage Red team set a record for the highest all-time winning percentage for a season with a record of 26-5-1. During its invitational season, the Red team earned two first-place trophies and one second-place trophy. In October 2025, Carthage also hosted the Dairyland Challenge Invitational.
The Mock Trial program is led by associate professor of management Michael Phegley, adjunct professor Margaret Zienkiewicz, and alumna Liv Higgins as assistant coach. Students take on roles as attorneys and witnesses to learn about the U.S. court system while gaining practical experience in litigation and trial procedures. Participants develop skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, and negotiation.
Carthage College reports its largest enrollment ever this year. Founded in 1847, Carthage offers liberal arts education combined with hands-on learning experiences on its campus located between Chicago and Milwaukee.
Information from this story was sourced from MeritPages.com
