The Academy Red mock trial team edged out Academy Black at the state competition in mid-March, earning them the privilege of representing Team New Mexico at the High School Mock Trial National Championships in May.
Academy Red, an experienced, charismatic team led by Maanav Patel ’23 and Inaaya Hasham ’24, went 3-0 at state, defeating teams from Atrisco Heritage, Cottonwood, and Sandia Prep in unanimous decisions by the judges. The team also includes Lucy Lott ’24, Kyo Torres-Chen ’24, Gabriella Towsley ’25, Santi Webb ’24, and Jamal Witter ’24 and is coached by Haley Brill and Joaquin Sanchez.
Academy Black (Becca Faber ’24, Marly Fisher ’23, Michael Kienzle ’23, Ben Raihane ’24, Malena Ryckman ’23, Evie Soule ’26, and timekeeper Matthew Stein ’23; coaches: Joaquin Sanchez and Clint Ewell) also ended the competition at 3-0, but a couple of split decisions put them in the runners-up position. Normally top finishers would meet in a head-to-head competition, but due to a weather-related late start, the championship was determined by ballots and points.
“The kids on Red and Black – who had cultivated a friendly rivalry throughout the season – would have preferred to battle it out in a championship round for ultimate bragging rights, but it was not to be,” said Coach Sanchez. “I was proud of the kids in how they supported and cheered for each other during the awards ceremony.”
Academy White, a team of 8th and 9th graders (Anagha Devarakonda ’26, Rosa Duvall ’26, Monica Dominguez ’26, Asher Faber ’27, Zoe Munson ’26, Diego Sanchez ’27, Hayden Wagner ’27, and Elizabeth Wilder ’26; coaches Jonathan Buys and Joaquin Sanchez) defeated perennial powerhouse Volcano Vista in the first round. “It was a tremendous victory over an incredibly strong opponent,” Sanchez said. White finished the competition at 2-1, defeating Animas and dropping a close match against Sandia Prep.
Several Academy students were singled out for individual recognition:
- Hayden Wagner ’27: Outstanding Attorney
- Marly Fisher ’23: Outstanding Attorney
- Jamal Witter ’24: Outstanding Witness
- Diego Sanchez ’27: Outstanding Witness
- Becca Faber ’24: Zamzock Award for Most Outstanding Witness
- Inaaya Hasham ’24: Zamzock Award for Most Outstanding Attorney
