The Reading Mockers had tremendous success this weekend at THE Ohio State University, participating with two teams in the last invitational of the year, the Buckeye Brawl. For a third consecutive attempt, Reading finished in the top 5 of the competition, having finished 2nd in 2024 and 5th in 2020. They also won the coveted Spirit of Buckeye Award for Civility!
Team 1 finished 2-2 on the day with Junior Kiersten Kleehamer winning Outstanding Attorney and Freshman Alan Hoffman winning TWO Outstanding Witness awards, one for defense as Sloane Rossi and one for plaintiff playing Jules Melnek. Other competitors Gio Escobedo, Kaitlyn Kaine, Matthew Lawson, Mouhammadou Ndiaye, and Ethan Bell also contributed. The team finished the invitational season an impressive 8-4, having only lost to the 4 time invitational champion Danville.
Team 2 finished 4-0 with Junior Lorena Zander winning Outstanding Witness and Sophomore Kaine Colvard winning Outstanding Attorney. Other competitors Will Moeggenberg, Cameron Millette, James Wooten, and Ariel Baston also helped lead the team to a perfect record. The team finished the invitational season 9-2-1.
Both teams compete in the Hamilton County District "MeatGrinder" this Friday. To advance to regionals, they will need a majority of ballots with at least one ballot in each trial. Best of luck to all mockers, and congratulations on a great invitational season!