Mock Trial team returns from state
DEREK KETNER

The 2003-2004 Yosemite High School Mock Trial team experienced a series of setbacks at the state competition, held this year in Santa Ana. All trials were worth 100 percentage points.

The first day, the team’s prosecution tackled the defense team from Yolo County. Even with above - average performances turned in by the entire prosecution team, including Amit Gurnani, Gabrielle Ripley-Phipps, Veronica Stewart, Val-erie Woolward, Ali Watt, Land-on Grossi, Jessie Fischer and Jessica Tyson, Yolo edged out the Badgers by 1.5 percentage points.

One of the attorney scorers said, “This was the closest trial I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been scoring mock trial competition for 14 years.”

Later that evening, the YHS defense team battled a highly experienced and well-trained Santa Barbara County team. Above - average performances were turned in by Kristin Lukan, Bree Boyd, Paige Turpen, Caitlin Blum, Christine Casner and Jason Koczanowicz but they were not enough as Yosemite lost by seven percentage points. Santa Barbara went on to win the state competition.

On Saturday morning, YHS went against Napa County’s high performance prosecution. Des-pite excellent opening and closing statements by Koczanowicz, the YHS defense was unable to muster enough counter-attack to defeat Napa, losing by four percentage points.

Later that day, YHS suffered another disappointing defeat at the hands of Mendocino County by a mere two percentage points. Grossi again shined on the witness stand and Veronica Stewart scored above average on cross-examination, according the Coach Jim Lee.

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