Three DMS Mock Trial teams advance to State

(Front row, left to right): Gabe Hiner, Cadence Brauer, Abbie Valkosky and Anders Lovstuen; (Back row, left to right): Elizabeth Pritchard, Skyler Cole, Naomi Simon, Evon Leitz, Danielle Rix, and Shlok Patel made up the 7th grade team "Mock Monarchs."

Decorah Middle School's Mock Trial teams have swept the Regional Competition at Loras College in Dubuque, placing first, second, third, and fourth.

All four Decorah teams were undefeated against their opponents at Regionals. The top three Decorah teams will advance to the State Tournament in Des Moines November 27th, 28th and 29.

Decorah eighth graders Rebecca Anderson, Casey Brickley, Leslie Campbell, Kaeley Downing, Grace Hoyland, Ada Lovelace, Michael Njus, Mya Redenius, Gareth Sweet, and Paige Werner placed first as team "Legal Lynxes."  The eighth-grade team "Binder Blinders" placed second: Lange Betts, Sophia Christman, Sophia Gallentine, Ella Grouws, Jake Magner, Bekah Pedlar, Thea Schissel, Annalise Skrade, Daniel Skrade, and Ethan Stravers.  The seventh-grade team "Spray Down the Law" placed third: Luke Arendt, Brady Bohner, Annika Brynsaas, Jorja Folkedahl, Kelley Gates, Elayna Hook, Kathryn Kelly, Maggie Norris, Libby Phillips, Brynn Storhoff, and Lexy Walker.  Placing fourth, just one point behind the third-place team, was the seventh-grade team "Mock Monarchs:" Skyler Cole, Cadence Brauer, Gabe Hiner, Evon Leitz, Anders Lovstuen, Shlok Patel, Elizabeth Pritchard, Danielle Rix, Naomi Simon, and Abbie Valkosky.

Named outstanding attorneys were Luke Arendt, Casey Brickley, Kelley Gates, and Gabe Hiner.  Honorable mention outstanding attorneys include Rebecca Anderson, Lange Betts, Skyler Cole, Kaeley Downing, Ella Grouws, Ada Lovelace, Anders Lovstuen, Libby Phillips, Thea Schissel, Annalise Skrade, Ethan Stravers, Gareth Sweet, and Paige Werner.

Named outstanding witnesses were Kaeley Downing, Sophia Gallentine, Ella Grouws, Kathryn Kelly, and Paige Werner.  Honorable mention outstanding witnesses include Luke Arendt, Rebecca Anderson, Shlok Patel, Mya Redenius, Bekah Pedlar, Naomi Simon, Ethan Stravers, and Gareth Sweet.

Many mentors and experts assisted the DMS students in preparing for Mock Trial competition, including retired teacher Peg Beatty, attorneys Sandra Clason and Barrett Gipp, high school student coaches Grace Gerleman, Mikiah Krieg, and Anya Lovstuen, and numerous parents and high school students.