2025 Iowa High School Mock Trial state champion crowned

The conclusion of the 2025 state tournament marked 43 years that Iowa has had a high school mock trial program, according to John Wheeler, director of the Center for Law and Civic Education at The Iowa State Bar Association. The center sponsors the mock trial program in conjunction with the ISBA's Young Lawyers Division. A total of 98 teams from across the state participated in this year's high school program, Wheeler said. Thirty-two of those teams competed in the state tournament that started Thursday, March 27. Each team competed in three rounds of competition.

In addition to the teams that made it to the semi-finals, eight additional teams were ranked. They are in order, starting with fifth place and ending with 12th-place: Iowa City High School (QFZ); Marion Ind. Schools (PWQ); Johnston High School (UJZ); Ankeny Centennial High School (PCZ); Knoxville High School (PVN); Robins Mock Trial (APQ); Waukee Northwest High School (PMM); Robins Mock Trial (UVD).

Student participants also have the opportunity to be recognized with individual awards for their performance as an attorney or witness, 12 students were selected as outstanding attorneys, and 11 students were selected as outstanding witnesses.

The outstanding attorneys and their schools included: Sarena Casady, Ankeny; Grace Dean, Marion; Scarlett Dupic, Spencer; Henry Godar, Roosevelt; Bennett Kautz, Marion; Fisher Krob, Grimes; Janie Maasdam, Knoxville; Rachel Matel, Iowa City; Chris Putnam, Robins; Juan Rosado, Iowa City; Abiti Trasowech, Davenport Central; Ryn Saylor, Urbandale.

Outstanding witnesses and their schools included: Jillian Conlon, Iowa City; Sophia Greco, Marion; Quinn Lorenz, Robins; Wrigley Mancha, Davenport Central; Sam Proctor, Marion; Wren Rediger, Marion; Renae Rundle, Marion; Sophia Seelau, Robins; Ben Semelroth, Robins; Quentin Steinbach, Dowling; Kendra Wilken, Robins.

This year, two teams received the Judge Anthony Critelli Award for sportsmanship, civility, and courtroom decorum. Those teams were Pocahontas Area High School (LSC), Ankeny Centennial High School (PCZ).

2025 marked the inaugural Courtroom Artist and Courtroom Journalist Competitions for the state of Iowa. The level of talent and creativity was outstanding, and we are excited to announce the following top three finishers in the Courtroom Artist Competition. First place was awarded to Adrienne "Rey" Dobson Greiner, Johnston High School; second place was awarded to Annalise Turci, Ankeny High School, and third place honors went to Kasia Dean, Marion Independent Schools. The Courtroom Journalist results are still being tabulated and will be announced at a future date.

More information regarding the Iowa High School Mock Trial program is available here. Results, including the teams who competed in the state tournament not listed above, can be found here.

VIEW FULL RESULTS

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