Moot Court season in review: 2025-2026

At PHC, we believe that God calls Christians to serve in all areas of social and public life, including law and government. By training leaders to reason and communicate effectively, PHC empowers Christian students to excel in their sphere of influence and thereby convey the truth and glory of God. That's what we aim to do through our Moot Court program, preparing students to become ready and able professionals, regardless of their career path.

Last weekend, 4 teams of Patrick Henry College's finest orators earned the opportunity to go up against the nation’s most elite competitors at the AMCA National Tournament in Lexington, KY. PHC's Haley Bock and Luke Buck battled their way to the final championship round, taking runner-up in a close 4–5 decision!

PHC is the only college to have teams in the final championship round for the past 4 years—earning the championship title in 2023 and 2025.

Program Director Sue Johnson says, "The most amazing thing about coaching here at PHC is the quality of the teams we send out each year. That quality runs far deeper than just how well you present arguments. It's also reflected in the two qualities we prize most in our students: a strong work ethic and the camaraderie with your teammates that makes our program so strong.”

She commends the program coaching team, Peter Kamakawiwoole (Head Coach), Cole Reynolds (alumni coach), and Wyatt Trull (student coach) for their leadership and dedication. Congratulations to all who represented PHC so well.

Public speaking opportunities are everywhere. Whether delivering an announcement in a class or group setting, giving a presentation to your coworkers, or witnessing about your faith, you will always find a chance to speak publicly.

Thomas Siu, a 2018 Government graduate from PHC, believes that speaking is an important skill for believers seeking to advance God's kingdom. “It’s really, really important to overcome fear in speaking, because sharing the Gospel requires the exact same skills. It’s not enough to just give speeches; we also have to be able to engage with someone back and forth,” Siu said.

It’s this resolution to work hard and compete well that students will undoubtedly continue to bring into the off-season and into next year.

The 2025–2026 Season Overview

October 13–18:
In-House Sentinel Classic Moot Court Tournament

• Champions: Brayden Braun and Kayla Jennings

• Runners-up: Isabelle Horowitz and Timothy Strand

• Top Orator Award: Evan Fairfax

October 25-26:

UVA AMCA Regional

• Haley Bock and Luke Buck finished in 2^nd place in this highly-competitive tournament, earning a bid to the Preliminary Round of the National Tournament (PRONT) in January.

• Ammon Corpron and Mia Hyams advanced to quarterfinals.

• Matthias and Noah Todd advanced to octafinals.

• Orator awards: Haley Bock (2^nd), Noah Todd (7^th), Luke Buck (9^th)

October 31–November 1:

PHC hosted an AMCA Regional Moot Court tournament

• Josiah Lorence and Benjamin Spivey finished in 2^nd place, earning a bid to the Preliminary Round of the National Tournament (PRONT).

• Semifinalists Cooper Cobbs and Madigan Lawlor also earned a bid to the PRONT.

• Orator awards: John Jensen (3^rd), Madigan Lawlor (5^th), Josiah Lorence (6^th), Simon Richards (9^th)

November 8-9, 2025:

Moot Court AMCA Regional tournaments

UCF Moot Court Regional in Orlando, Florida

• Allie Satterfield and Wyatt Trull won the championship, earning a bid to the Preliminary Round of the National Tournament (PRONT).

• Abigail Spivey and Zeke Johnson advanced to the octafinals.

• Orator awards: Zeke Johnson (4^th), Allie Satterfield (5^th), Abigail Spivey (7^th)

Moot Court Regional in Akron, Ohio

• Benjamin Rutten and Evan Fairfax won the championship, earning a bid to PRONT.

• Ryan Olson and Zach Barnes were semifinalists, also earning a bid.

• Orator awards: Zach Barnes (7^th), Evan Fairfax (8^th)

Yale Moot Court Regional

• Brayden Braun and Kayla Jennings won the championship, earning a bid to PRONT.

• Ainsley Stellman and Caleb Helsing were semifinalists, also earning a bid.

• Rebecca Phillips and Benjamin Arroyave made it to the quarterfinals.

• Orator awards: Kayla Jennings (1^st), Rebecca Phillips (2^nd), Brayden Braun (5^th), Ainsley Stellman (6^th)

Moot Court Regional in Albany, NY

• Mark Epstein and James Staub made it to the quarterfinals, earning a bid.

• Also competing: Evelyn Sittner and Mackenzie Richards, Ian Donaldson and Timothy Strand; alternate: Reid Ritter

January 10-11, 2026:

Preliminary Rounds of the National Tournament (PRONT), San Francisco, CA

• Ben Rutten and Evan Fairfax advanced to quarterfinals, earning a bid to the Final Round of the National Tournament (FRONT) in Kentucky in February.

• Zachary Barnes and Ryan Olson advanced to Octafinals.

• Also competing: James Staub and Mark Epstein

• Orator awards: Ryan Olson (3^rd), Zachary Barnes (4^th), Evan Fairfax (5^th).

January 16-17, 2026:

Preliminary Rounds of the National Tournament (PRONT), Lynchburg, VA

• Josiah Lorence and Ben Spivey advanced to quarterfinals, earning a bid to the Final Round of the National Tournament (FRONT) in Kentucky in February.

• Madigan Lawlor and Cooper Cobbs also advanced to quarterfinals, earning a bid to the FRONT.

• Allie Satterfield and Wyatt Trull advanced to octafinals.

• Orator awards: Josiah Lorence (1st), Ben Spivey (14th)

January 24-25, 2026:

Preliminary Rounds of the National Tournament (PRONT), Texas Tech (virtual) 

PHC teams excelled despite pivoting to a virtual competition due to weather conditions:

• Brayden Braun and Kayla Jennings advanced to the semifinals, earning a bid to the Final Round of the National Tournament (FRONT).

• Haley Bock and Luke Buck advanced to the quarterfinals, also earning a bid to the FRONT.

• Abigail Spivey and Caleb Helsing advanced to the octafinals, finishing just shy of earning a bid to the FRONT.

• Orator Awards: Luke Buck (1^st); Kayla Jennings (2^nd); Haley Bock (4^th); Brayden Braun (8^th)

February 21-22, 2026:

Final Round of the National Tournament (FRONT)

Haley Bock and Luke Buck were named 2026 National Runner Up after a close 4–5 decision in the championship round.

PHC's other teams also excelled:

• Ben Rutten and Evan Fairfax advanced to the quarterfinals.

• Brayden Braun and Kayla Jennings advanced to the octafinals.

• Josiah Lorence and Ben Spivey fell just short of the sweet sixteen.

• Outstanding Orator Award: Evan Fairfax (15^th place)

• Brief Writing National Championship: Abigail Spivey and Ezekiel Johnson (7^th place respondent brief)

View a slideshow of highlights from the 2025-2026 moot court season.

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