The Tyrone Mock Trial team once again made history at the annual University of Pittsburgh Mock Trial Competition with a brand new B Team on January 7 and 8th.

Due to overwhelming interest in mock trial this year, Tyrone expanded opportunities for those interested by creating a second team, known as the B Team, that competes separately from the A Team.

“There is a lot of potential with the team based on their performance in Pittsburgh. I can’t wait for our trial,” said junior Jonathan Clifton.

The A Team tied their best record ever of 3-1 (wins-to-losses).

The B Team competed for the first time ever and earned a record of one win and three losses.

Members of this year’s B Team include attorneys Morgan Bridges, Ebonee Rice, and Brent McNeel. The witnesses of the team are Jonathan Clifton, Megan Dale, Brandon Escala, Alicia Endress, Hanna Denny, and Sarah Meyer and is coached by Chemistry Teacher Mike Funicelli.

Without much experience, the B Team still made history in the competition. Sophomore Brandon Escala, a first year mock trial member, took home a Best Witness Award. He is only the second person in Tyrone history to win the award. Carrie Vance won it in 2015 as a senior.

The A Team also had an impressive competition. Junior Chloe Makdad won a Best Attorney Award, the team’s second ever attorney to win that award. Adam Zook won the award in last year’s competition as a senior.

Members of this year’s A Team include attorneys Chloe Makdad, Haley Butina, and Molly Harris. The witnesses of the team are Makayla Ritchey, Zack Webster, Hilari Parsons, Paige Umholtz, Grayson Putt, and Riean Minnich and is coached by social studies teacher Todd Cammarata.

“We did very very well at Pitt this year. Every year we go, we seem to step up our game. This was the first time that we had two people win individual awards. It was a cool first for us,” said A Team coach Todd Cammarata.

Mock Trial is an extracurricular activity sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association in which participants argue a fictional court case.  The students must learn parts such as witnesses, expert witnesses and attorneys. Together, they argue the case against other high schools from across the state.

This year’s case is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Taylor Edsel, a criminal case. The defendant, Taylor Edsel, is an ex-arsonist who got a job through the 2nd Start Program: a program which gives former convicts like Taylor a second chance in life. A massive fire broke out, and Taylor was arrested at the scene. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must argue that based on evidence and the profile of a serial arsonist, Taylor was the one who started the fire. The defense must argue that he has changed.

“We’re looking forward to our first season competition. Traveling to Pittsburgh and competing before the season always gives us an extra edge,” said Cammarata.

The Tyrone A Team will compete against Huntingdon at the Cambria County Courthouse on January 17 at 5:30 pm.

The Tyrone B Team will compete against Bedford at the Blair County Courthouse on January 23 at 6:00 pm.