The Hills-Beaver Creek High School mock trial team wrapped up the 2021 season last week with a 1-3 win-loss record.
The team’s single victory came in the third round of the four-round season.
The H-BC defense earned a seven-point advantage Jan. 19 against Fairmont High School White, winning with a score of 228-221.
Adviser Megan Klumper said this mock trial season was a whole new experience for both herself and her students.
“Due to the restrictions of social distancing, mock trial students were not allowed to have competitions in the courthouse like previous years,” she said.
“This year, thanks to Zoom, the mock trial season was not canceled like so many other events. Instead, the competitions were held from right here in our school.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many courthouses are appointment-only and some schools haven’t been able to conduct in-person classes. (H-BC has been able to conduct in-person classes since the start of the 2020-21 school year.)
The Minnesota Bar Association, which organizes mock trial competition, moved all events to virtual formats, coordinating schools and judges using the video conferencing application Zoom.
“Rather than viewing the judge’s bench, jury box and the witness stand during the trial competitions, the students have been able to view living rooms and home offices across the state,” Klumper said.
The H-BC mock trial team members are Taylor Durst, Abby Knobloch, Allie LaRock, Kyler Hartz, Jacob Sheppard, Hannah Fick, Lauren Tatge, Tahliya Kruger and Madison Gaugler.
They opened the season Jan. 7 against St. Peter High School White (loss, 216-219), followed by the Jan. 13 meeting with Rochester Century High School (loss, 198-230). H-BC ended Feb. 3 against Northfield High School Gold (loss, 197-209).
H-BC competed in the newly organized super region 4-6 that contained 16 schools throughout the state.
“Since no one had to travel this year, the distance between schools and school districts was irrelevant when planning competitions,” Klumper said.
“This year we were able to go up against schools that H-BC has never before competed with in mock trial.”
While H-BC won’t compete in this week’s Round 5 to determine state tournament participants, Klumper is looking forward to next year.
“I think we really learned a lot this year,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the chance of a regular season in the courtrooms. It is more exciting for the students.”