Two Decorah Middle School teams will head to the State Middle School Mock Trial Competition

The 7th grade team, "Tomato Blasters," included: (Front Row from left): Gareth Sweet, Sophia Christman and Ella Grouws. (Second row from left): Lange Betts, Thea Schissel and Sophia Gallentine. (Third row, from left): Michael Njus and Annalise Skrade. (Fourth row, from left): Lily Iverson and Mya Redenius.

Two Decorah Middle School teams will advance to the State Middle School Mock Trial Tournament in Des Moines November 27th, 28th and 29th.

Decorah Middle School's four 7th and 8th grade Mock Trial teams nearly swept the Regional Competition at Loras College earlier this month, placing first, third, fourth, and fifth among 15 teams. Three Decorah teams were undefeated against their opponents at Regionals.  Points are compared between the undefeated teams, and the top three qualify for the state competition.

This year's criminal case was a fictional alleged robbery/murder of a street performer by scheming magicians at the downtown farmers market in Des Moines.

Finishing first at Regional was Decorah's team "5-ft Drop," comprised of eighth graders Dylan Elsbernd, Landan Folkedahl, Grace Gerleman, Kolten Gossman, Dalton Hemesath, Karen Henriquez, Mikiah Krieg, Simon Mumford, Allison Pavlovec and Riley Wilson.

The seventh grade team "Domino Effect" placed third.  Team members were Rebecca Anderson, Casey Brickley, Kaeley Downing, Ada Lovelace, Jake Magner, Bekah Pedlar, Daniel Skrade, Ethan Stravers, Paige Werner and Max Wilson.

Finishing fourth at Regional was Decorah's seventh grade team "Tomato Blasters," comprised of Lange Betts, Sophia Christman, Sophia Gallentine, Ella Grouws, Lily Iverson, Michael Njus, Mya Redenius, Thea Schissel, Annalise Skrade and Gareth Sweet.

The eighth-grade team "Melonheads" placed fifth after a very close match against a North Scott team, which placed second.  Team members were Emily Carolan, Drew Chamberlain, Isaac Cooper, Izaak Eichinger, Wyatt Hackman, Kaya Hines, Mara Holland, Anya Lovstuen, Thomas Ostlie and Ruby Sullivan,

Many Decorah students earned individual awards.  Named outstanding attorneys were Emily Carolan, Izaak Eichinger, Sophia Gallentine, Grace Gerleman, Dalton Hemesath, Karen Henriquez, Kaya Hines, Mikiah Krieg, Ada Lovelace, Anya Lovstuen, Allison Pavlovec, Ruby Sullivan, and Gareth Sweet.  Named outstanding witnesses were Isaac Cooper, Gareth Sweet, Izaak Eichinger, Landan Folkedahl, Grace Gerleman, Ella Grouws, Anya Lovstuen, Mikiah Krieg, Annalise Skrade, Bekah Pedlar and Lange Betts.

The teams are coached by Carole Sand and are assisted by retired teacher Peg Beatty, attorney Sandra Clason and high school student coaches Megan Robinson, Tori Miller and Sofie Grouws.