DMS Mock Trial teams awarded two trophies at state competition

DMS 8th grade team Thunder, which placed sixth at the Mock Trial state competition, includes front (L-R): Lauren Myli, Olivia Mettille, Emma Nierengarten, Leila Johnson; back (L-R) Tyler Irwin, Kaia Neal, Emma Johnson, Sofie Grouws, Amber Hussain, Nathan Zheng

Three Decorah Middle School teams had strong performances at the State Mock Trial competition, bringing home two trophies and two outstanding performance medals.

The 8th grade team Thunder won the sixth place trophy out of 34 teams, narrowly missing competing in the final four. In round 3, after winning their first two rounds, one judge deemed Decorah the winner by three points and the other judge deemed eventual semi-finalist Harding Middle School the winner by 4 points. This resulted in Thunder placing sixth, narrowly missing the semi-final round by only one out of 300 possible points.

The 8th grade team Lightning decisively won two of three rounds, losing to eventual semi-finalists Harlan Middle School, to win the 12th place trophy.

The 7th grade team Objection won one of their three matches, facing stiff competition and garnering numerous nominations for outstanding performances.

Leila Johnson and Cady Peterson were honored with medals as Outstanding Attorneys. To earn this award, a student must be nominated by both judges as their top choice in a single round.

Many Decorah participants were nominated for outstanding honors, some by numerous judges.

Nominated as Outstanding Attorney were 8th graders Emma Brauer, Amber Hussain, Noah Lovelace, Anja Madsen, Emma Nierengarten, and Cady Peterson; and 7th grader Dalton Hemesath.

Nominated as Outstanding Witness were 8th graders Emma Brauer, Sofie Grouws, Tyler Irwin, Leila Johnson, Noah Lovelace, Kaia Neal, David Olson, and Cady Peterson; 7th graders Kolten Gossman, Karen Henriquez, Izaak Eichinger, and Anya Lovstuen.

DMS 8th grade team Lightning, which placed 12th at the Mock Trial state competition, includes front (L-R): Anja Madsen, Abby Milburn, Cady Peterson, Noah Lovelace, Asha Merritt; back (L-R) Morgan Brauer, Emma Brauer, Noah Breitenbach-Dirks, Steven Sexton, David Olson

The DMS 7th grade team Objection, which was honored at Mock Trial state competition with many nominations for outstanding attorneys and witnesses, includes front (L-R): Izaak Eichinger, Kaya Hines, Mikiah Krieg, Anya Lovstuen; back (L-R): Isaac Cooper, Kolten Gossman, Karen Henriquez, Dalton Hemesath, Larsson Shockey