Taylor Cramer
Mar 12, 2024
The Glenwood Springs High School Mock Trial Team 1 clinched the Colorado State Championship this past weekend, earning the right to represent the state of Colorado at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Wilmington, Delaware, set to take place from May 3-5. The victory marks a Colorado high school record eighth state title for the program since its inception in 1993, and the first for the team since 2015.
The Glenwood Springs program has achieved remarkable national rankings in the past, including a sole second place finish and multiple third place finishes as part of the program’s seven national championship appearances. This year’s co-coaches, Zac Parsons and Isabel Carlson, bring their own history of success to the team, having been state champions themselves in 2005 and 2011, respectively, as Glenwood Springs High students.
This year’s legal scenario revolved around a contentious lawsuit stemming from a New Year’s Eve party violation of COVID-19 restrictions, challenging the team’s ability to navigate complex legal issues. With a season record of 13-0, the team demonstrated their prowess at competitions including the Boulder Battle at the University of Colorado Boulder, regionals hosted at the Garfield County Courthouse, and were one of 42 international teams invited to the world championships in August, which were hosted in Chicago.
At the state tournament in Jefferson County this past weekend, Glenwood Springs Team 1 defeated opponents from Mullen, Valor Christian, Chatfield and Niwot high schools, leading to a final showdown with last year’s state champion Forge Christian High School. The championship round was adjudicated by a distinguished panel including Colorado Supreme Court Justice Richard Gabriel and other notable legal figures.
Student Junior Claire Quintenz was recognized as the best attorney in the tournament.
“We ended in the third place spot in the state last year and lost in the semifinals, which made us eager to have a dominant season this year,” Quintenz said. “Going into this season, our goal was to win state and go to nationals to represent Colorado. We call it a mock trial dynasty here. This is the first time we have won the state championship in eight years, so we are excited to continue that dynasty.”
Reflecting on the journey to the championship, Quintenz highlighted the challenges and triumphs.
“After winning the Boulder Battle and after winning regionals, the preparation for state definitely got more intense,” she said. “We returned everyone except one person to this year’s team, so we really wanted this win to make up for last year.”
Co-coach Parsons expressed pride in the team’s achievements.
“The kids put in so much work this year,” Parsons said. “They have spent more than 200 hours this season just preparing for last weekend. It’s incredible to watch just how much work they have put in to reach this position.”
Parsons’ personal journey from state champion to coach underscores the program’s lasting impact and the tradition of excellence it upholds. He recognized his experience with the mock trial team during his time as a student.
“It’s funny, because this has come full circle for Isabel and me,” he said. “It’s definitely neat, but this is a lot more about the kids than it is about us. We couldn’t be more proud about their efforts and their performance this year.”
As the team prepares for the national championship, the focus remains on embodying the best qualities of mock trial competitors.
“We’re five wins away from a national title,” Parsons said, marking the number of wins it takes to walk away with a national championship. “The goal has been not just to win a state title, but to be national champions. We’re really excited to be able to compete against some high caliber teams and hopefully walk away with a victory.”
Aside from Quintenz, the team also includes senior Hayden Clausen, as well as juniors Rose Corcoran, Elizabeth Fullerton, Claire Gillen, Amanda Madden, Mason McCarty and Eva Simpson.
The mock trial program at Glenwood Springs High School, under the stewardship of Parsons and Carlson, continues to build upon its legacy, blending past achievements with current ambitions. As the team heads to the national championship, they carry with them the hopes of surpassing their already impressive historical performance.
“We want to be the first team in school history to bring home a national title, and I think we have a strong chance to do that with the team that we have,” Parsons concluded.