The mock trial team at Benilde-St. Margaret’s has upheld its legacy of dedication and success and is headed back to the State Tournament. This year’s team of 13 Red Knights is undefeated in competitions and eagerly anticipates the energy of state beginning Thursday, Mar. 7, 2024. Since 2018, the BSM Mock Trial team has placed in the top ten at the State Tournament each year it has participated, with the exception of 2020.
“Our goal has always been to win state and this year is no exception,” said Mary Murray, BSM’s advisor for the mock trial team, “We made it again for the sixth time in seven years and we are ecstatic to compete at the top level!”
The team has won numerous awards throughout the 2023-2024 season, including third place at the University of Minnesota’s Golden Gavel tournament in December, and fourth place at the Minneapple Tournament in January. Individual honors have been earned by Liya Elias ‘25 who won a top attorney award at the Golden Gavel tournament in her first year on varsity. Al Brown ‘25 and Anya Seppala ‘26 won Top Witness awards at the same event in December. This is Seppala’s first year on the varsity team.
In January, Brynja Lockman ‘25, Emily Walsh ‘24, Nico Peterson ‘26, Violet Grendahl ‘27, Amelia Lynch ‘25, and Liya Elias ‘25 received exemplary performance awards at the Minneapple tournament. “We have a ton of talent in our returning members including our three captains,” Murray noted, adding, “We also have new up-and-coming talent in some of our ninth and tenth grade team members.”
Additionally, Bob Huber, one of BSM’s attorney coaches was named the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) volunteer of the year for his work with the BSM team. As a past BSM parent of two alums, Huber is supportive of BSM students on the mock trial team, sharing his experiences and knowledge, helping them become better participants with skills they can ultimately use throughout their lives.
The State Tournament will be held on Thursday, Mar. 7, and Friday, Mar. 8 in St. Paul at the U.S. District Courthouse (316 Robert St. N.). While there are no cameras or video allowed during competitions, persons who have been cleared by the MSBA and the Federal Courthouse are invited to attend the competition to support the Red Knights. More information can be found on the Minnesota State Bar Association High School Mock Trial State Tournament website.
During this year’s season, the team hosted the Red Knight Invitational at BSM in December, met state senator Steve Cwodzinski while visiting the Minnesota Supreme Court in November, met with experts at the Hennepin County crime lab to explore forensics and crime-scene investigations, and attended oral arguments at the Minnesota Supreme Court considering the Minnesota State Presidential Ballot.
Good luck Red Knights! We are BSM proud.
Update: Monday, Mar. 11
Mock Trial went 6-2, finishing in 9th place at State. Two Red Knights received all-state awards for the second year in a row: Emily Walsh ’24 received the all-state attorney award and Al Brown ’25 received the all-state witness award.
We are BSM proud of these Red Knights and their accomplishments both as individuals and as collaborative colleagues.
