Go Torrey Mock Trial! (Part 2: Menlo and Behold)

By Upper School History and Social Science Teacher Dan Norland
Devoted readers with photographic memories will recall that Part 1 of this series, “Beach Ballers,” closed with a quote from Skyler Kelley-Duval ’19, a tenth grader by day and ace attorney by night: “I truly feel like a part of this team and I can’t wait until the Menlo tournament!” In January, Skyler’s wait came to an end, as the Torrey Mock Trial team journeyed north to compete as one of 16 teams in what the tournament organizers described as “the strongest mock trial field ever assembled in California.”

The NorCal Invitational, held at Menlo School in Atherton, is mock trial at its very best: fun, friendly, competitive and focused on helping students learn. It is also grueling, with each school participating in 10 trials in just two days. Students powered through with the help of caffeine, camaraderie and get-pumped-up exercises led by Coach [Heidi] Handelsman. The rattling windows and clattering walls, thanks to the worst (and possibly only) storm the region experienced in years, also helped keep the team on their toes.
 
Over the weekend, the Torreys faced teams from four other schools: Dos Pueblos, last year’s state champion; Trinity Pacific, winner of the 2016 Beach Ball tournament, the 2016 Empire San Francisco tournament, and—spoiler alert!—the 2017 Menlo tournament; Venture Academy, winner of the San Joaquin County tournament for three consecutive years; and Clovis High, who won the Fresno County tournament in three of the past four years. It was a murderer’s row of mock trial talent, but the Torreys held their own, winning several rounds and narrowly losing others. Ultimately, the Torreys scored 10 more points than their opponents combined, and finished in 10th place—the best finish the Torrey Mock Trial team’s ever had in an invitational tournament, and enough to earn automatic entry to the highly selective Golden State Tournament in Sacramento in April.
 
In addition to the team’s success, Liam Hosey ’17 earned individual glory, winning a Best Witness award for his nuanced portrayal of the young, earnest busboy Frankie Lyman. He was enthusiastically cheered on by his teammates and two LJCDS graduates, Liz Ellison ’08 and Olivia Martin ’15, who came to watch the team in action. The team was thrilled to see them, as well as two other special guests, Glen Pritzker’s wife, Sandy, and sister Robin. As a one-time teacher at Menlo and the much-beloved coach who brought “Go Torrey Mock Trial!” into the lexicon, Mr. Pritzker personally inspired and encouraged many of the students and teachers at the tournament. The air at Menlo, like at LJCDS, felt as though it were crackling with his boisterous, joyous and kind-hearted spirit.
 
The Torrey Mock Trial team returned from Menlo exhausted but inspired, confident that the weekend was a tremendous learning experience and wonderful preparation for the upcoming San Diego County tournament. To again quote Skyler, “We all learned a lot about how to improve our team, and how we can move forward towards victory at the county competition.”
 
Another attorney, the inimitable Faith Aurora Robinson ’19, summed up the weekend nicely:
 
“Menlo was one of the best experiences I have had in Mock Trial. While being extremely exhausting, I don't think I have ever learned so much in such a small amount of time. We are stronger, more confident, and have a level of mastery over the material that we have never had before, so watch out!”
 
The award-winning Liam Hosey also waxed nostalgic:
 
“Going up against the best of the best in California mock trial was a humbling experience. The sheer talent we got to witness when competing made the hours in the courtroom breeze by and the memories we shared with our peers will endure long after the season ends. Competitions like these make me glad to be a member of Torrey Mock Trial.”
 
Liam’s teammates and coaches all feel the same. Stay tuned for a report on the team’s trials and tribulations at the county tournament later this month!
 
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