Mock trial team

Published 9:10 am Saturday, March 27, 2010

The Albert Lea High School mock trial team participated in the 2010 Minnesota State Bar Association State Finals March 9 and 10 at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis.

Presenting the fictional case of “Kelly Anderson v. Dale Rockford and John Reilly High School,” Albert Lea earned a victory over Lakeview School in Round 1 of the tournament before falling to perennial power Buffalo High School in Round 2. In Round 3, the Tigers lost a close split decision for a ninth-place finish. Logan Tufte earned honors as an All-State Attorney while Shelby Lageson earned All-State Witness honors.

One hundred twenty-seven teams and more than 1,500 students across the state of Minnesota began their preparations for this seasons competition in October 2009.

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Southwest Middle School teacher Neil Chalmers heads the mock trial program. The mock trial program at ALHS fielded three teams with 25 students in grades 9-12 participating. ALHS students competed in 18 trials, including the Owatonna Invitational, the Region 7 tournament and the state finals.

Albert Lea’s Varsity team members include seniors, Aaron Thomas and Maddy Ruble, juniors Logan Tufte and Shelby Lageson and sophomores Annabelle Randall, Michelle Hartmann, Macy Paul and Addison Peterson.

The 2010 volunteer lawyer coaches were Jocylyn Poehler and Char Hunter. Also volunteering as an assistant coach was Eric Schwab (ALHS class of 2006).