The Tyrone High School Mock Trial team placed thirteenth out of forty-four teams at the tenth annual Pitt Mock Trial tournament, held on January 4^th and 5^th on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

Tyrone compiled a record of 3-1 at the statewide tournament, losing only to Trinity High School A, the team that took second overall.

This was Tyrone’s best finish ever at this preseason tournament.

“I’m very proud of our Mock Trial team,” said faculty adviser Todd Cammarata, “the students have been working very hard since October studying the case, learning courtroom procedures and preparing their arguments.”

“This tournament attracts some of the best Mock Trial teams in the state, from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia.  To finish thirteenth of forty four teams is a major accomplishment,” said attorney adviser Rich Lupinsky.

At the tournament Tyrone argued two trials each day, one as the plaintiff, one as the defense.

In round one Tyrone defeated Dubois B on defense 110 to 115. They next argued as the plaintiff against Trinity A and lost by 25 points 101 to 126.

On the second day they argued against Pine Richland as defense and won by 5 points 97 to 92. The last trial was against Trinity B as plaintiff and Tyrone won again 96 to 102.

This year’s case is a civil lawsuit in which the mother of a deceased high school track star is suing the girl’s high school for negligence, claiming that the school encouraged the use steroids, which resulted in her death.

Several students also won individual awards in the trials. They are as follows:

Adam Zook: 2^nd Best Attorney-Round 1, Best Lawyer-Round 4

Hope Wilson: 3^rd Best Attorney -Round 1, Round 2, and Round 4, 4^th Best Lawyer- Round 3

Conner Stroud: 2^nd Best Attorney -Round 3

Haley Butina: 3^rd Best Attorney -Round 3

Carrie Vance: Best Witness- Round 1 and Round 4

Molly LaPorte: 2^nd Best Witness-Round 1 and Round 4

Gina Gavazzi: 4^th Best Witness-Round 1

Shaniah Lowery: 4^th Best Witness- Round 4

Jake Makdad: 3^rd Best Witness- Round 3

Erika Voyzey: 3^rd Best Witness- Round 2, 4^th Best Witness- Round 3

Members of the 2013-2014 Mock trial team are: Gina Gavazzi, Molly LaPorte and Carrie Vance: defense witnesses.  Makayla Ritchey, Paige Umholtz, and Erika Voyzey: plaintiff witnesses. Hope Wilson, Conner Stroud, Adam Zook, and Haley Butina: attorneys.  Jake Makdad and Shaniah Lowery: witness understudies.

The regular season for the Mock Trial team begins February 4^th against Bedford High School at 6:00 pm at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg.  They will then face Huntington Area High School on February 11^th at 6:00 pm at the Huntingdon County Courthouse.

The trials are free admission and are open to the public.