Sierra Anglen
Sierra Anglen (she/her) is a senior from San Tan Valley majoring in Biological Sciences and Global health with an emphasis in Conservation Biology & Ecology. She balances school with work at the Arizona House of Representatives and hopes to explore how law and science intersect in her career. Sierra is excited to welcome new members and share what she’s learned from her time in SDMT. Her favorite SDMT memory is going to the beach in Santa Barbara with team Pink Panthers in her sophomore year. She loves The Lego Batman Movie, Flowers for Algernon, and never says no to chips and salsa. A Taurus and INTJ, she proudly calls herself a Pokemon Go enthusiast . Fun fact? She’s a triplet! Her guilty pleasure is playing Pokemon Go, her go-to drink is a Dr Pepper, and if she had a superpower, it would be the ability to always find a parking spot.
Quote: “Everything works out in the end; if it hasn’t worked out, it’s not the end.”
Anthem: Once in a Lifetime – Talking Heads
Year in SDMT: 4th
Abigail Axelson
Abigail Axelson (she/her) is a senior from Surprise studying Business Law. She works as both a respite care provider and a server at Mirabella! Abigail dreams of becoming an attorney and this semester she’s most excited about competing and spending time with her friends. Her favorite mock trial memory is when her P-Bench all scored 15 ranks! A fan of Legally Blonde, Project Hail Mary, and The Pitt, she also swears by pho as her favorite meal. As an Aquarius, Abigail brings unique perspectives like arguing that gluten-free pasta is better than regular. Something surprising about her? She watches a movie every day. She runs on iced coffee with vanilla and half-and-half, and her guilty pleasure is reality TV. If she had a superpower, she’d choose the ability to speak every language.
Quote: “What, like it’s hard?”
Anthem:Modern Girl – Bleachers
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Joe Beining
Joe Beining (he/him) is a senior from Menomonee Falls, WI studying political science and psychology. Outside of SDMT, Joe finds joy watching reels on Instagram and arguing against LetterBoxd users. When he’s not online, Joe is busy preparing for the future; Joe’s aspirations for his career lie in going to law school and studying international law! His favorite mock trial memory is watching the Bellagio fountain after the Rebel Trojan invitational, and he is excited to improve competitive skills this semester! If Joe had to choose a favorite show to watch, he’d say “I Think You Should Leave” is the best. As an Aries and an INFP, Joe will never relinquish his want to have fun, and it is this want that motivates him as a competitor. His favorite food is an Oregano’s pizza cookie with a nice glass of water. Joe’s guilty pleasure is buying books that he will most likely not end up reading. A hidden talent of Joe’s is his ability to beat competitive Smash Bros players.
Quote: “Not everyone who works hard is rewarded. But! All those who succeed have worked hard!”
Anthem: “Back On 74” – Jungle
Year in SDMT: 4th
Jaidan Bhakta
Jaidan Bhakta (he/him) is a senior from Chandler, Arizona, double majoring in Data Science and Political Science. When he’s not in class, he’s usually playing piano, reading, volunteering, or coaching high school We the People teams. Jaidan plans to practice law, focusing on intellectual property or appellate advocacy, and hopes to become a law professor later in his career. This semester, he’s excited to meet the new members and win—or place highly—at tournaments. His favorite mock trial memory is going head-to-head with Josiah Jones at ORCS. A “Diplomat” personality type, Jaidan loves Thai food (especially panang curry) and insists coffee is overrated—lemonade all the way. He’s been playing piano since he was four, loves rewatching Disney movies for the nostalgia, and would choose flight as his superpower.
Quote: “Until the day when God shall deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is summed up in these two words—Wait and Hope.” — Alexandre Dumas
Anthem:Arabesque No. 1 – Debussy
Year in SDMT: 4th
Matt Crothers
Matt Crothers (he/him) is a senior from Prescott, Arizona, majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Chemistry. He’s spent over a year interning at Doran Justice and hopes to find a career that balances his science background with law. This semester, he’s excited to get back to competing and start the journey to D.C. His favorite mock trial memory is playing football on the beach after making it to nationals. Matt loves Revenge of the Sith, barbecue from his Traeger, and reality-TV nights on the couch. He jokes he can cook minute rice in 58 seconds—usually after a Peach Red Bull—and his unpopular opinion is that Cava just isn’t good. If he had a superpower, it would be teleportation.
Quote: “A D-Lineman gets one sack a game… he’ll be a top five pick. You give up one sack a game, you’re gonna work at Amazon. Nothing wrong with that, but whenever we’re here, that’s what we’re striving for.” — Will Campbell
Anthem: Headshots (4r da locals) – Isaiah Rashad
Year in SDMT: 4th
Luke Fries
Luke Fries (he/him) is a senior from San Diego double majoring in Electrical Engineering and Economics. When he’s not studying, Luke is on the ice playing hockey, running (17:17 5K!), or reading. He plans to work in engineering before heading to law school and hopes to combine both careers long-term. This semester, he’s giving it “one last good year” with SDMT before heading back to San Diego. Luke’s favorites include popcorn, Rush Hour, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Andor. A Pisces and ENFP, he’ll admit his guilty pleasure is listening to the K-pop Demon Hunters soundtrack. Something surprising? He used to sing in choir. His go-to is a Coca-Cola, and his dream superpower would be flying.
Quote: “What the bones!” — Joe Beining
Anthem: Float On – Modest Mouse
Year in SDMT: 4th
Audrey Haag
Audrey Haag (she/her) is a senior from Mesa, Arizona, double majoring in Business Law and Popular Music. Outside of mock trial, she keeps busy as VP of Communications for KAPI, a University Housing REC assistant, and a Princeton Review Campus Ambassador. Audrey hopes to become an entertainment lawyer in New York City and is determined to leave a lasting impact in her final year with SDMT. Her favorite mock trial memories include winning at Irvine with Team Bullet and making history as the first all-female F-Team to earn a bid to ORCS — a moment she’ll never forget. She loves ramen, Heartstopper, Gran Turismo, and The Perfect Marriage by Geneva Rose. A Leo sun, Sagittarius rising, and Capricorn moon, Audrey stands by her hot take that sushi isn’t that good. She’s written several songs (not released… yet), runs on iced blonde vanilla lattes, and would choose the superpower of mastering any task that comes her way.
Quote: “Sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful too.”
Anthem:Greedy – Tate McRae
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Natasha Kiriluck
Natasha Kiriluk (she/her) is a senior from Mesa triple-majoring in Political Science, History, and Economics. She works at the Center for Work and Democracy, interns at Doran Justice, plays in the Philharmonia, and founded a community service club called the Goldman Society. Natasha plans to go to law school and work in criminal or civil-rights law. She’s excited for her last fall semester with SDMT. Her favorite mock trial memory is both teams getting bids to nationals at ORCS last year. A Cancer and ENFP, she loves pierogis, Amadeus, and Pride and Prejudice. She’ll proudly argue that golf is stupid, and her guilty pleasure is binging Love Island. Something you might not guess? She’s a poker god. Natasha usually orders a caramel latte, and if she could have any superpower, it would be invisibility.
Quote: “It’s a terrible waste to be happy and not notice it.” — Kurt Vonnegut
Anthem: Alter Ego – Doechii
Year in SDMT: 4th
Sam Mcgee
Sam McGee (he/him) is a senior from Seattle majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication with a focus in Public Relations. He interns at Doran Justice, is writing his thesis on the Bruen decision, and reads in his free time. Sam hopes to work as an attorney in criminal defense or civil rights in New York. He’s looking forward to making the most of his final year with SDMT. An INTJ and Scorpio, he loves pesto pasta, Runaway Horses by Yukio Mishima, and The Sopranos. He’ll die on the hill that night showers beat morning ones. Something you might not guess? He’s double-jointed in his left thumb. Sam orders an iced Americano, admits his guilty pleasure is sleeping in, and says his dream superpower would be mind reading.
Quote: “A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” — Hunter S. Thompson
Anthem: This Night Has Opened My Eyes – The Smiths
Year in SDMT: 4th
Anusha Rahman
Anusha Rahman (she/they) is a senior from Chandler, Arizona, studying Economics and Political Science. Outside of SDMT, Anusha serves as President of the Honors College Council, advises ASU Global Resolve, and works as a Writing Mentor for the ASU Writers’ Studio. She also volunteers at a local domestic violence center supporting Muslim refugees. Anusha hopes to become a lawyer working with South Asian and Muslim domestic violence survivors and is excited to meet new people this semester. Her favorite mock trial memory is getting stuck overnight in the O’Hare Airport before competing at nationals. Anusha is a fan of Sylvia Plath’s words, falafel bowls, and Mango Arnold Palmers. Her guilty pleasure? Eating frosting straight from the tub. Anusha brings unique perspectives to the team, like her belief that YouTube Music is the best streaming service, and if she could choose a superpower, she’d pick time travel.
Quote: “I talk to God, but the sky is empty.” – Sylvia Plath
Anthem: Think Twice – Piri & Higgo
Year in SDMT: 4th
Meghan Searle
Meghan Searle (she/her) is a senior from Mesa majoring in Political Science with a minor in Economics. She balances school with work as a Pre-Litigation Case Manager at an employment law firm and plans to go into international business law. Meghan is looking forward to getting the program back to NATs. Her favorite mock trial memory is A & B teams squeezing hands waiting for results at L.A. ORCS last year. She swears by steak salads and bone marrow, and her favorites include The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and Rolling in the Deep. A consistent shooter on the basketball court (friends will vouch for her 3-point shot), she powers through her day with green tea and honey. Her guilty pleasure is coconut water mixed with Pellegrino and lime. If she could have a superpower, she’d choose to absorb and retain knowledge instantly.
Quote: “Give out what you most want to come back.” — Robin Sharma
Anthem: Rolling in the Deep – Adele
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Emma Wymore
Emma Wymore (she/her) is a senior from Prescott, Arizona, double majoring in Economics and Political Science with minors in Global Studies and French. Outside of SDMT, she works two jobs—one with ASU’s Sexual Relationship Violence Prevention program and another with Doran Justice. Her work is driven by a passion for preventing people from having to interact with the criminal justice system and ensuring that the system works the way it’s supposed to. She’s also an advocate for improving sex education and serves as part of Devils in the Bedroom, a sexual health and wellness club that recently partnered with USG to distribute 500 menstrual cups and sanitizers to students for free—something she credits to the public speaking skills she gained from Mock Trial. Emma hopes to become a lawyer, ideally working at a firm that practices private international law while maintaining a robust pro bono program for criminal defense work. Her favorite mock trial memory is SDMT earning two bids to nationals for the first time in 11 years. She loves Coraline, Les Justes by Albert Camus, and Sex and the City, and says her favorite meals are anything homemade and shared with friends. Fluent in Japanese and French, Emma drinks a blend of Earl Grey and espresso topped with soy milk, snacks on Takis and beer, and jokes that she’s on level 1,160 of Candy Crush. If she could have any superpower, it would be teleportation—to see her friends and family anytime, anywhere.
Quote: “Don’t be a chocolate éclair.” — inspired by Theodore Roosevelt
Anthem:Shinpai Muyou – Yuki Chiba
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Sun Devil Mock Trial 