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The 2021 Ainsworth High School Mock Trial Team members who took 5th place during the Virtual State Championships included (Front Row - Left to Right): Gracie Petty, Brandt Murphy, Alyssa Erthum, Dakota Stutzman and Coach Katie McClure; (Back Row - Left to Right): Coach Graig Kinzie, Cody Kronhofman, Elizabeth Smith, Haley Schroedl and Levi Goshorn.
The Ainsworth Mock Trial team won two of its three matches last week to bring home fifth place in the Nebraska State Mock Trial Championships.
A statewide event featuring 12 regional qualifiers, the Nebraska Mock Trial State Championships were contested virtually this year due to the pandemic.
Ainsworth portrayed the prosecution in the State of Nebraska v. Chris Hall in the opening round March 1st, losing a decision to Grand Island Northwest.
On March 2nd, Ainsworth portrayed the defense and won a decision against Conestoga.
On March 3rd, Ainsworth was back on the prosecution side and won a decision over Lincoln Pius X.
Omaha Creighton Prep defeated Omaha Duchene for the state title March 4th after both teams finished 3-0 during the round robin competition. McCook also finished the round robin 3-0 but did not score as many points from the judges as Creighton Prep or Omaha Duchene, placing McCook third in the state. Ogallala finished 2-1 but won a tiebreaker over Ainsworth for fourth place. Lutheran High Northeast also finished 2-1 but did not score as many points from the judges as Ainsworth, leaving Lutheran High Northeast in sixth place.
Grand Island Northwest, Bellevue West, Sidney and Conestoga each finished 1-2, and Columbus Lakeview and Lincoln Pius X went 0-3 during state competition.
Ainsworth’s team consisted of attorneys Cody Kronhofman, Alyssa Erthum, Haley Schroedl and Levi Goshorn, and witnesses Elizabeth Smith, Brandt Murphy, Dakota Stutzman and Gracie Petty.
The Ainsworth team was coached this year by Katie McClure and Graig Kinzie. Brown County Attorney Andrew Taylor served as the team’s attorney coach, and former coach Mary Rau also provided assistance to the team.
