OLYMPIA—MARCH 24, 2013 — The varsity mock trial team from Seattle Prep High School was named state champion Sunday in Olympia after competing against King's High School in the final round of the statewide competition. The team is eligible to compete in the national high school Mock Trial competition in Indianapolis, Indiana scheduled for May 9 – 11. 

United States District Court Judge Robert Lasnik presided over the championship round of the competition, which was hosted by the Thurston County Courthouse throughout the weekend. The competition involved 22 high school teams from across Washington, who had competed in their district competitions and advanced to state, with more than 100 attorneys and more than 30 judges and court commissioners volunteering to preside and score the rounds.

The statewide Mock Trial competition began in 1987 and is part of the YMCA’s Youth & Government program, which helps students experience democracy in action. Mock Trial allows students to participate in true-to-life courtroom drama before real judges in real courtrooms, gaining an understanding of the law and the role of the judiciary.

The top 10 finalists of the 2013 competition are as follows:

• 1st place: Seattle Prep Varsity 
•  2nd place: King's High School
•  3rd place: Archbishop Murphy High School
• 4th place: International Community School
• 5th place: Franklin High School
•  6th place: University Prep Varsity
•  7th place: Seattle Prep, Junior Varsity
• 8th place: Mercer Island High School
• 9th place: The River Academy
• 10th place: Seattle Academy

The award for overall Best Attorney went to Ryan Gorey of Mercer Island High School. A four-way tie for overall Best Witness went to Salli Jo Matheson of Meridian High School, Mason Hudson of Kings High School, Taylor Hudson of Camas High School, and Jackie Becker of H.M. Jackson High School.

The final round Best Attorney Awards went to Gabrielle Morris of King's High School and Rachel Chacon of Seattle Prep. The final round Best Witness Awards went to Olivia Morrow of Seattle Prep and Kendon Campbell of King's High School.

This year's case involved a terrorist plot to bomb a Puget Sound ferry carrying hundreds of travellers, with a central question of the case surrounding the credibility of a confidential informant.

 PROGRAM CONTACTS: Seattle Prep Head Coach Andy McCarthy, 206-931-1058 (cell); Judge Robert Lewis, Mock Trial Program Chair at 360-397-2226; Sarah Clinton, Executive Director, YMCA Youth and Government Program at (360) 480-4838 (cell).