Mock Trial teams competed at the district competition March 9, and all eight teams moved on to the district run-offs March 10. Five of those eight teams won during the run-offs, resulting in them being able to compete in the state competition March 24-26. “I thought the district competition went really well,” junior Kathryn Paszkiewicz said. “It was a good way to get us prepared for harder trials and let us know what we need to work on.” Paskiewicz is a part of the Res Ipsa Loquitur team, one made of seven juniors and three seniors.

This year is one unlike the others. “This has ben an unprecedented year for Mock Trial,” Mock Trial adviser Kathy Paul said. “Having all of our teams qualify for the district finals is a tribute to the extensive support network we have developed over the years.”

Paul is pleased with the freshmen teams specifically, as well as having former students as coaches. “Having a ninth grade team there, along with two other ninth graders on another team, will give them valuable experience for the future,” she said. “I am so pleased to have six former students who are now attorney coaches at the high school level who make the experience so rich.”

The five teams that are going to the state competition are Incendio, Res Ipsa Loquitur, Identity Crisis, Litig8 and Oro Judicium. These teams are compiled of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. There are a total of 32 teams competing in the state competition.

Mock trial is designed to introduce students to the system by providing a challenging and academic competition. More than 1,600 students in the state compete in mock trial competitions.

“I want to improve from districts, and at least make it to the elite eight,” Paszkiewicz said.