Three DMS mock trial teams advance to state

7th grade team F.B.I.: (front L-R) Landan Folkedahl, Sam Jermier, Dane Frieden, and Emily Carolan.(back L-R) Simon Mumford, Thomas Ostlie, Allison Pavlovec, Ruby Sullivan, Grace Gerleman

Decorah Middle School's four 7th and 8th grade teams nearly swept the Regional Mock Trial competition at Loras College in Dubuque on Monday.

The DMS teams placed first, third, fourth, and fifth among 17 teams. Three Decorah teams advanced to the State Tournament in Des Moines next week.

All four Decorah teams were undefeated against their opponents at the regional competition. Points were compared between the undefeated teams, and the top four teams qualified for the state competition.

This year's civil case was based on a 2013 wrongful death lawsuit filed by a mother whose son died participating in a Tough Mudder extreme obstacle course event in West Virginia. Students played the roles of plaintiff and defense attorneys as well as witnesses, including an expert doctor, sports psychologist, participant, obstacle course CEO, certified lifeguard, and sports blogger.

Decorah's team Thunder placed first in Regionals and included 8th graders Sofie Grouws, Amber Hussain, Tyler Irwin, Emma Johnson, Leila Johnson, Olivia Mettille, Lauren Myli, Kaia Neal, Emma Nierengarten, and Nathan Zheng.

The 7th grade team Objection placed third: Isaac Cooper, Izaak Eichinger, Kolten Gossman, Dalton Hemesath, Karen Henriquez, Kaya Hines, Mikiah Krieg, Anya Lovstuen, and Larsson Shockey.

The 8th grade team Lightning placed fourth: Emma Brauer, Morgan Brauer, Noah Breitenbach-Dirks, Noah Lovelace, Anja Madsen, Asha Merritt, Abby Milburn, David Olson, Cady Peterson, and Steven Sexton.

Many Decorah students earned outstanding witness and attorney awards based on nominations from judges.

Outstanding attorneys were Isaac Cooper, Sofie Grouws, Amber Hussain, Leila Johnson, Asha Merritt, Kaia Neal, David Olson, Thomas Ostlie, and Ruby Sullivan.

Honorable mention outstanding attorneys were Emily Carolan, Landan Folkedahl, Dane Frieden, Sam Jermier, Noah Lovelace, Lauren Myli, Emma Nierengarten, and Allison Pavlovec.

Outstanding witnesses were Izaak Eichinger, Landan Folkedahl, Grace Gerleman, Karen Henriquez, Leila Johnson, Thomas Ostlie, Cady Peterson, and Nathan Zheng.

Honorable mention outstanding witnesses were Emma Brauer, Sam Jermier, Mikiah Krieg, Anya Lovstuen, and Ruby Sullivan.

Many mentors and experts assisted the DMS students in preparing for Mock Trial competition, including retired teacher Peg Beatty, attorney Ron Fadness, high school student coaches Brenna Betts and Tori Miller, and numerous high school students who volunteered after school to provide their Mock Trial expertise. The teams are coached by Carole Sand as part of the DMS Extended Learning Program.