Mock Trial Team is the 2019 State Runner-Up!

Lincoln High School’s Mock Trial team won their district tournament in March to earn a spot at the State Tournament, which took place at the Community Choice Convention Center in downtown Des Moines on April 4th, 5th , and 6th. After defeating teams from Kuemper Catholic, Pocahontas, and Robins in first three rounds of the state tournament, the Railsplitters finished in the 3rd position, qualifying for the state semi-finals. In the semi-final round, the team competed in the Iowa Court of Appeals at the Judicial Branch Building against a team from Marion Home School Association, defeating them and earning their place in the state finals. For the championship round, the Railsplitters competed against another team from Marion Home School Association in the Iowa Supreme Court Chambers. They lost the final round in a close, split decision and finished as the State Champion Runner-Up. The Iowa High School State Mock Trial Tournament is hosted by the Iowa Bar Association and this finish by the Lincoln team represents the highest finish for any Des Moines Public School team in many years. The team was made up of sophomores Enya Cid, Cole Flaherty, and Dorunbari Gift Fulbel, juniors Nathan Gordon, Spencer Johnson, and Piper Lansky, and seniors Jharna Adhikari, Quique Llopis Egea, Jared Poortinga, Mikayla Rodrigues, and Daunte Thompson. In addition to the 2nd place overall team finish, senior Mikayla Rodrigues earned an All-State Outstanding Witness Award for her performance.  Competitors Jharna Adhikari, Enya Cid, Cole Flaherty, Nathan Gordon, Spencer Johnson, and Jared Poortinga earned All-State Attorney Honorable Mention Awards. Cole Flaherty, Nathan Gordon, Piper Lansky, and Quique Llopis Egea earned All-State Witness Honorable Mention Awards. The team is coached by Kaitlyn Evans and Carol Dickey.

Click here to see pictures on Flickr.