PC mock trial teams go toe-to-toe against each other
The Perkins County mock trial teams returned to action Monday, Oct. 24, competing against each other at the Perkins County Courthouse. The trial was watched by a number of family members and friends who were treated to an impressive performance by both teams, ultimately won by the Black team.
The trial featured a number of spirited back-and-forth debates by attorneys following objections, debates that coaches Diana Tate and Don Harris were pleased to see.
The Red team attorneys, Myles Bishop, Conner Tyreman and Cooper Kroeker went toe-to-toe with the more experienced attorneys for the Black team, Gavin Smith, Selah Richter-Martinez and Ryder Potts, and held their own. “This was an outstanding accomplishment since this was only the second trial for the Red team attorneys,” said Coach Harris.
Testifying as witnesses for the Black team were geriatric neurologist and expert witness Dr. Cameron Niarbson; Kaitlyn Meyer as the neigbor Alfie Kravitz; and Cait Dolezal as the plaintiff Dani Brichacek. The Red team’s witnesses were Brock Tines as Dani’s brother Parker Brichacek; Colson Uehling playing the part of family physician Dr. Logan Anthony; and Cecilia Putnam as the defendant Lee Sweet.
Handling pre-trial matters for the Black team was Ryder Potts, while Selah Richter-Martinez gave the opening statement, and Gavin Smith the closing. For the Red team, Cooper Kroeker did pre-trial, Myles Bishop gave the opening statement and Conner Tyreman the closing.
“The competition was very close and the performance judge complimented both teams on their presentation and courtroom performances,” said Harris. “Interestingly, and equally impressive, was that the presiding judge, while not scoring each individual, judged that the Red team gave the better overall performance. While having the two Perkins County teams compete against each other is not ideal, it was necessitated by the fact that a number of team members were involved in other activities and could not have competed against other schools on the originally scheduled day, Wednesday, Oct. 26.” he said.
“There were several positives in this competition and it also revealed areas that still need improvement,” Harris added.
The two teams now move on to the eight team, single elimination tournament which will qualify one team for the state competition. This tournament will be held in McCook Nov. 16. The state competition will be in Omaha Dec. 5-6.