After two years of virtual competition, the Hills-Beaver Creek High School mock trial team’s feelings are mixed as the 2023 season begins this week.
“Most of the students are excited to be back into the courthouse because it makes the case more authentic for them,” said adviser Megan Klumper.
“A few of the newer members did express a bit of nervousness.”
Due to the pandemic and backlog of court cases, the event organized by the Minnesota Bar Association has been conducted virtually with each high school team competing via Zoom from their home schools.
This year, the five-round season will be split. The first two rounds will be back to in-person competitions at courthouses throughout the state. Rounds three and four are virtual.
For the Greater Minnesota Southern Division, round five will be in-person at Rice County Courthouse in Fairbault to determine which three teams will compete at this year’s virtual state tournament in March.
This year’s case centers around medical malpractice.
“The most challenging part for students will be the terminology,” Klumper said. “Portraying a medical expert takes a lot of practice because students must become comfortable with the medical jargon if they are to be seen as an expert.”
The civil case is Jamie Morton versus Audi Ramidus, M.D., where Morton, a high school swimmer, alleges that Ramidus was negligent in the repair of Morton’s injured knee and in his standard of care delivery.
For H-BC, the plaintiff Morton is portrayed by freshman Gavin Voss. Witnesses include Dr. Madison Adams (portrayed by junior Kyler Hartz) and swim coach Kris Peterson (junior Joy Taubert). Plaintiff lawyers are sophomore Emma Deelstra, junior Madison Gaugler and sophomore Blake Leenderts.
The defense team for H-BC is Dr. Ramidus (portrayed by senior Britton McKenzie), physical therapist Robin Still (junior Tahliya Kruger) and swim team member Val Rivera (senior Tyrae Goodface). Defense lawyers are seniors Lexi Drake and Leif Tollefson and freshman Sarah Prohl.
Time keepers and alternates for the team are sophomores Isaiah Stefanyuk and Lexxus Wessels.
Currently, the H-BC team doesn’t have an attorney coach but is actively seeking a volunteer.
“It seems like every year I learn more and more about how mock trial works,” said fourth-year coach Klumper. “After competitions, the judges give advice on how teams can improve. This is the best learning opportunity for myself and my team.”
H-BC’s first competition is Thursday, Jan. 12, against Murray County Central. The mock trial begins at 1 p.m. in Slayton.
Round two is 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, against Luverne in Windom.
Opponents for the virtual rounds three and four will be determined from team records from the first two rounds.