The Wayne High Mock Trial teams (Blue and Purple) traveled to Madison on Nov. 11 for the opening rounds of the Nebraska Region 6 competition.
The teams have been working hard over the past four weeks putting together the case of Wyatt Whinge vs. Cameron Anderson.
Team Purple, consisting of lawyers Taesha Dunklau, Callen Gamble and Abigail Gapp and witnesses Alexis Adams, Kayleigh Graybeal, Caleb Raulston, Abbie Shultheis, Samantha Wright and Karla Wynia was made up of all first year participants. They found themselves Monday going against schools' teams made up of juniors and seniors. Purple started the day as the Plaintiff against South Sioux City #1 and then moved on to Lutheran High #2 and Norfolk High #1. Wayne shook off the nerves and competed well but went on to lose close matches to each team.
Team Blue, consisting of lawyers Aidan Bohnert, Josie Ley, Jordyn Clinchard and witnesses Adrienne Anderson, Gavin Anderson, Kennesyn Blecke, Nyamalo Kantai, Alec Schaffer and Sophia Spieker went into Monday's opening rounds with a lot of experience. Wayne would start the day against Norfolk High 1 and then battled Norfolk #2 and Lutheran High #2. Wayne's experience would prove to be too much for the other teams as they would go undefeated. Team Blue advances to the semifinal round on Tuesday, Nov. 26 in Madison starting at 10am.
"I was extremely happy with how both teams competed on Monday. Purple gained valuable experience and confidence and got better with each trial they competed in. Blue came out and controlled the courtroom and picked up some great experience as they continued to prepare to win their way to State on the 26th," Coach Josh Johnson said.
Wayne High Mock trial sent two more teams to the opening rounds of the Region 6 regional play on Nov. 15 at the Madison County Courthouse in Madison,.
Wayne Black consisting of attorneys Alexis Legler, Anna Naeve, Landen Sharer and witnesses Norah Davis, Lilyan Hurner, Grace Junck, Amelia Legler and Riley Olson competed three times.
In match one, Team Black as the plaintiff faced off against Lutheran High Northeast #1. The two teams battled back and forth. LHNE would go on to defeat Wayne in a split decision 2-1. Wayne Black went on next to battle Lyons Decator and South Sioux City #3. Wayne would rebound well in those two matches and get the wins in both matches by a score of 3-0 and 3-0. Wayne Black would go on to have a daily record of 2-1 (7 ballots won).
Wayne Red, consisting of attorneys Aleigha Hale, Madi Korth and Sidney Nelson and witnesses Alvaro Archundia, Norah Armstrong, Alexa Chavez Medina, Graycen Trautman, Dean Young and Alison Zuniga Sander also competed three times.
In match one, Team Red found themselves against South Sioux City #2 and went back and forth throughout the entire trial. Wayne finished strong and would win the match 3-0. Wayne Red next went against Lutheran High Northeast #1. LHNE, consisting of mostly juniors and seniors, used their experience to keep themselves ahead of the younger Wayne team. In the end LHNE would defeat Wayne 3-0 but in a very close score. Wayne Red would bounce back in match 3 against South Sioux City #3. Wayne Red would go on to win that match 3-0 and have a win-loss record for the day of 2-1 (6 ballots won).
After the three matches, Wayne Black and Wayne Red found themselves in a tie with 2 wins and 1 loss. Only one team could advance. Wayne Black would win the tiebreaker over Wayne Red with their 7 ballots won versus 6 ballots.
"Congratulations to Wayne Black as they make it to the semifinals on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Congratulations to Wayne Red on a great season," said Coach Johnson.
"Both teams did great! They each learned a lot each trial and then put it into later trials. Congrats to each team," Coach Johnson added.