Salesianum News · Salesianum School Salesianum Mock Trial Claims First-Ever State Championship, Advances to Nationals

On March 1st, Salesianum's Mock Trial team won their first-ever Delaware High School Mock Trial State Championship at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington. Competing against 18 teams from 15 schools, the team delivered a dominant performance, securing victories over Newark Charter, Tatnall, and Wilmington Charter before defeating Wilmington Friends in the championship round.

Delaware’s High School Mock Trial program was established in 1991 and has been held annually for over 30 years. The event consists of four rounds held over two days, during which students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses, presenting their cases before a judge and scoring jury.

The team, led by captains Casey Allen '25 and Luca Rossi '25, demonstrated exceptional preparation, legal expertise, and courtroom presence throughout the tournament. Other team members include John Chako '26, Joseph Grande '26, Brady Kropp '26, Adam Menicucci '26, Pablo Mezquita-Medina '26, Alex Guarino '27, John Mullen '27, Carl Roehsler '27, Chris Russell '27, and Ollie Barrett '28. Their success was made possible under the guidance of coaches Rebecca Younger, Bill Grebe, and attorney coach Randy Herndon.

The team also earned high individual honors, securing six gavels for outstanding performances. Casey Allen, Adam Menicucci, Alex Guarino, and John Mullen were recognized for their exceptional attorney skills, while Luca Rossi and Brady Kropp received awards for their witness portrayals.

The championship win was celebrated with alumni support, as former team members Sean Allen ’23 and Douglas Barrett ’24 and the unwavering encouragement from team parents. With this win, the team has earned a spot at the national competition in Phoenix, Arizona, in May. Their journey continues as they prepare to represent Delaware nationally, carrying forward the legacy of excellence and humility that defines Salesianum School.