The Principia College Mediation Team capped off an incredible season with a first-place win for Team Mediation at the International Law School Mediation Tournament in Bologna, Italy.  

Principia was one of two undergraduate teams facing 40 competitors in graduate programs from across the globe. The traveling team—senior Luke Nutwell, senior Grace Pécheck, and sophomore Avery Smith—confidently entered the field and took home five trophies. The team was supported by Head Coach Jeff Steele, as well as President John Williams who contributed decades of legal experience and savvy to case preparation and strategy sessions.

“Competing against law students from all around the world was a great way to learn more about peacemaking and negotiation,” says co-captain Nutwell. “The team did very well, which we think is reflective of our training and case preparation.” Nutwell was awarded fourth place as Individual Mediator and fifth place as an Individual Advocate/Client Pair with co-captain Smith.

The team also enjoyed the immersing themselves in the complexities of Italy and gaining a brief glimpse into its dense history of conflict and resolution with Dr. Steele and President Williams.

A coach familiar with competing alongside Principia, quipped “Principia is still the mouse that continues to roar,” referring to a comment made ten years ago when the team won its first international championship in Georgia.

Earlier in the spring, the Mediation Team competed at the University of Central Florida’s Conciliator Mediation Tournament, taking first place in Team Advocacy. The team returned from Florida with a slew of individual awards including junior Chris Ajuoga’s first-place award for Individual Mediator, Nutwell’s second-place award for Individual Mediator, and sophomores Smith and Neha Bandrapalli’s second-place award for Individual Advocate/Client Pair.

The Principia College Mediation Team season was one for the record books!