Go Torrey Mock Trial! (Part 1: Beach Ballers)

In round one, the Torrey defense team faced prosecutors from mock trial powerhouse Trinity Pacific Christian High School, who charged restaurant owner Cameron Awbrey with the crimes of human trafficking and false imprisonment. Ms. Awbrey, played by the inimitable Josie Rooney ’20, was ably represented by her legal team of Alex Goutnova ’19, Skyler Kelley-Duval ’19, Rachael Mow ’17, and–delivering a masterful opening statement in her first mock trial competition–Nicole Prescott ’20. Three witnesses also testified on Ms. Awbrey’s behalf: a kind, resolute waitress (Talia Vukotich ’20), Ms. Awbrey’s loyal cousin (Rebecca Margetts ’18) and a professor with poise and relevant expertise (Nikita Nair ’20). The result was a split decision, with the Torreys losing one scorer’s ballot 123-128 and winning the other’s 128-124. That turned out to be the only ballot on which Trinity Pacific–who went on to win the tournament–was outscored all weekend.

 

In round two, the Torrey prosecution took on Pacific Grove High School, as the legal team of Lauren Mikuriya ’18, Raquel Ramirez ’19, Faith Robinson ’19 and Arielle Algaze ’17 commanded the courtroom with effective arguments and devastating cross-examinations. The audience also witnessed outstanding performances from a crisply efficient police officer (Elaina Sassine ’18), a cosmopolitan restaurateur (Gabby Stryker ’17), a knowledgeable, self-assured professor (Neda Fashandi ’17), the alleged victim (Nina Khosla ’19) and a calm and collected courtroom clerk (Darpa Anireddy ’19). Again, the trial ended in a split decision (131-125, 141-146), and again, the trial was a wonderful learning experience for everyone involved.

 

On Saturday evening, after two grueling rounds of competition, it was time to see why this tournament had “beach” in its name. All 24 teams gathered for a cookout on the sand, complete with s’mores and themed Halloween costumes. The Torreys all wore fake mustaches, baseball caps and rumpled dress shirts underneath fleece vests in honor of Glen Pritzker, the much-beloved Upper School English teacher, mock trial coach and cheerleader without whom the Torrey Mock Trial team would not exist. Mr. Pritzker founded the team in 2010-2011 and he and Jonathan Shulman led the charge ever since.

 

Expert bailiff, D.J., and all-around good guy Jackson Benning ’17 had the foresight to bring a portable speaker to the beach, and as 18 mustachioed Torreys danced around a bonfire underneath the stars, it was a moment to remember. Josie Rooney described it best, “On that night it was one of those ‘everything is going to be alright’ moments. Everyone was singing, talking and laughing together, and everything really did seem alright.”

 

The next day, the Torreys competed in two more trials, again facing excellent teams and again holding their own. The most memorable moment of the tournament occurred that afternoon at the closing ceremony, when the tournament director announced a new award, the Pritzker Prize for Coaching Excellence. Mr. Pritzker’s wife Sandy and sister Robin were present, and when the tournament director pointed them out, the hundreds of mock trial students and coaches in the room rose as one and applauded. The standing ovation spoke to the fact that Mr. Pritzker coached mock trial in the same way he lived his remarkable life: with passion and compassion, irrepressible enthusiasm and zeal, and a great big heart.

 

The weekend in Irvine was a powerful tribute to Mr. Pritzker and, as he would have wanted, a bonding experience for the team and an exciting start to the Mock Trial season. The weekend was summed up well by two of the team’s ace attorneys.

 

Alex Goutnova: “This was an incredible opportunity to get to know each other better and create a family-like feeling. People were so supportive and it really brought us all together. A highlight of the weekend was seeing teammates who have worked very hard in these past weeks succeed. You could really see all the effort and time they put into this. And for some people, it was their first time and they did so great! The best feeling is knowing that we also have a lot of time ahead of us to get better and grow, and that this is just the start.”

 

Skyler Kelley-Duval: “Whatever nervousness I had was completely outweighed by the support and kindness of the Torrey Mock Trial team. There were so many amazing moments, from seeing our team grow closer together at the bonfire, to the standing ovation in honor of Mr. Pritzker, to finding out we had defeated the winners of the competition on one ballot. I truly feel like a part of this team and I can’t wait until the Menlo Tournament! GO TMT!!!!!!”

 

The Beach Ball Classic is a premiere scored invitational tournament preparing teams for county and state competition. All trials at the Beach Ball are judged by highly qualified attorneys, judges and award-winning former mock trial competitors. The Beach Ball Classic is the first step for teams and competitors to win the Golden State Cup. Stay tuned for Mock Trial Parts two and three: Menlo in January and the county competition in late February and early March.