According to club sponsor Holly Hochstedler, Mock Trial club is scheduled to compete against Westfield on Jan. 23 at the Hamilton County courthouse at 6 p.m. Club members will also prepare for the tournament season, scheduled to begin on Feb. 23.

“The round on Wednesday and the rounds in the next few weeks will be scored by judges, but we won’t be able to see the scores until the ‘seed’ positions are released at the beginning of the tournament,” Hochstedler said.

Sam Pickett, a Mock Trial club member and witness “Ty Coon,” said the club was prepared for the tournament season but could also make a few improvements.

“The main problem at our last round was a lack of objections from our lawyers. More objections means more points, so we have to study up on our law,” Pickett said. “The team also needs to get more comfortable and portray our characters better.”

Hochstedler also said while the members were prepared, more practice would be beneficial.

Hochstedler said, “We have practiced at least once a week since December and practice up to three times a week sometimes. We also have two lawyers from Campbell, Kyle and Proffitt to help us with the law aspect of the competition.

According to Pickett, the team is more confident this year and is going into the season with more experience.

“Since we won last year we have more confidence that we know what we’re doing and how to go about it unlike last year when we had all new lawyers,” Pickett said. “Now we don’t get more flustered easily and are good at making questions to make the opposing side say what we want them to.”

Hochstedler said, “Competitions are always open to spectators and are free. Everyone is welcome to come and watch us.”