Early this February, Coronado Mock Trial competed in their first regional competition since new coach Jamie Anderson joined the team. The varsity and JV teams hit it out of the court as they delivered the examinations, openings and closings they have spent months preparing.  Since September, the two teams have faced many trials and tribulations to get where they are today.  Early in the year, the team struggled to recruit new members, as over 3/4ths of last year’s varsity team graduated.  Even after acquiring a substantial team, half of the JV members were unable to stay until competition.  On top of that, the team was faced with the most difficult criminal case Colorado Mock Trial has seen in years – a murder case with a tricky set of stipulated facts.  But with the help of their six professional attorney coaches straight from the public defender’s office, the teams managed to pull together an extraordinarily well-prepared argument in their favor.  Prosecution and defense alike managed to win several rounds in regionals by only a few points, meaning the competition was definitely stiff this year.  Nevertheless, they were able to retain their position near the top until the bitter end.  

In end, Coronado’s Varsity Team placed 3rd in the region.  Individually, one of the team’s top prosecutors, Sierra Meisner, 11, won 3rd place for Best Attorney, becoming the first Coronado team member to place individually in two years.  Not only that, but expert defense witness Noah Durrance, 11, was told after trial by a judge and professional mock trial coach that he was the most convincing witness she had ever seen, in both mock and real court. Varsity’s placement in the top three earned them a place in Tuesday night’s consolation round against Varsity Palmer.  Excitement ensued when Coronado beat Palmer by only one point, meaning they are now one of only three teams to qualify for state in Greeley this March.  Meanwhile, Coronado JV held their own as well.  Despite having only half of a team, they outperformed Doherty’s Varsity in their very first round, an epic feat for a team with less than a year of experience!    

Mock trial may sound intimidating at first, but it has a place for anyone with determination and work ethic.  Roman Sorrels, 11, joined mock trial his freshman year and has performed amazingly in Mock Trial over the past three years.  “I joined because mock trial looks fantastic on college and job applications.  Also, the chance to debate and argue one on one is an experience that would be difficult to get elsewhere,” Roman said of his initial impression of mock trial.  Roman is now a member of the skilled Varsity prosecution.  He mentioned that mock trial isn’t all about the lawyers- Roman emphasizes the importance of witnesses in the courtroom.   “I’m a witness, so my job is to paint the prosecution as heros and the defense as an enemy.  Witnesses control how the judges view the case.”  Roman recommends mock trial for its “open and accepting” community, and its focus on helping each member individually.  Roman’s skills have not gone unnoticed in this community- he helped Varsity go to state, and hopes to do so again next year.   

The trials and tribulations of the Mock Trial team are far from over.  The team will continue to fine-tune their skills until they go up against Colorado’s best and brightest in March.  Until then, we wish our Coronado attorneys and witnesses the best of luck!