[Al Skierkiewicz]

I am going to agree with Kim here. This sounds like there is an underlying reason for the mentor response and it needs to be fixed. A team cannot make these pressures go away but it usually helps to make the mentor realize what is taking place. Recent financial pressures, job issues, employer uncertainty and the real threat of loss of job can weigh heavily on adults. The worry of the election and it's implications is also an issue for nearly everyone in this election year. Often release comes in the form of verbal assault on others. The mentor may not even be aware of how this is viewed by others or it's effects.
The students also need some help. It is simply not acceptable to behave in a manner which is less than GP or disrespective of others on the team. There are a few techniques that really work and one of those is to stop talking/doing which turns attention to the students who are being disruptive. When everyone is waiting for them to stop fighting, they will soon tire of being the center of attention. You might also take both students to a quiet place and explain that this behavior puts the team in poor standing with other teams and therefore travel would be in question. Remember that the students are torn between being on the team and the stress of each other's conduct at team meetings. In addition to the obvious effects on the team, it is possible that you might loose both students if this continues. As Kim has pointed out, there is likely another cause behind this behavior.