Tyrone Mock Trial Team finishes 3-1 at statewide tournament

Tyrone finished 13th of 44 teams at the 10th annual University of Pittsburgh High School Mock Trial Tournament.

By Conner Stroud, Editor|January 17, 2014

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Gallery • 8 Photos
Andrew Wilson
The team stops for a group photo at the Panther Shrine on the Pitt campus. Left to right (back row): Carrie Vance, Erika Voyzey, Makayla Ritchey, Connor Stroud, Jake Makdad, Molly Fessler-LaPorte. Second row: Attorney adviser Rich Lupinsky, Paige Umholtz, Shaniah Lowery, Hope Wilson, Haley Butina, Adam Zook, faculty adviser Todd Cammarata. Front row: Gina Gavazzi

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 4th and 5th on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

“

I’m very proud of our Mock Trial team. The students have been working very hard

— Faculty Adviser Todd Cammarata

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.

“

We did exceptionally well. There are things to work on, but I know we’ll do better this season than before

— Sophomore Erika Voyzey

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

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

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

Conner Stroud: 2nd Best Attorney -Round 3

Haley Butina: 3rd Best Attorney -Round 3

Carrie Vance: Best Witness- Round 1 and Round 4

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

Gina Gavazzi: 4th Best Witness-Round 1

Shaniah Lowery: 4th Best Witness- Round 4

Jake Makdad: 3rd Best Witness- Round 3

Erika Voyzey: 3rd Best Witness- Round 2, 4th 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 4th 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 11th at 6:00 pm at the Huntingdon County Courthouse.

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