USN Mock Trial team earns 2nd Place at State Tournament
After winning one of the most competitive mock trial districts in the country, USN headed to the State Tournament and turned in another strong performance.
By Wilson Hubbell, Mock Trial Faculty Advisor
Back
After a set of 4 tough rounds at the Historic Downtown Courthouse, USN finished in the top 2 at this year's State Mock Trial Tournament.
They faced a formidable Agathos team that had just taken down MBA in the 4th round in a final to decide the State Champions. Interestingly, we had just faced Agathos in the 3rd round that morning, and based on all available evidence, we had lost it. But narrowly, because we must have taken one of the three ballots to have finished in 2nd place after 4 rounds.
The team would also like to thank USN parents Ben Raybin ’03 and Hugh Ammerman for their help in getting the team ready for the competition.
They faced a formidable Agathos team that had just taken down MBA in the 4th round in a final to decide the State Champions. Interestingly, we had just faced Agathos in the 3rd round that morning, and based on all available evidence, we had lost it. But narrowly, because we must have taken one of the three ballots to have finished in 2nd place after 4 rounds.
So then everything is a clean slate. It was winner-take-all in the final round against Agathos. Instead of 3 scoring judges, there is a full jury of 12, and the presiding judge was Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell. The team then flips a coin to see who plays what side (prosecution or defense) they'll argue. Agathos won the coin toss and decided to run the exact same sides we ran that morning. Oof. We are the prosecution, and based on the evidence, this is really an unwinnable case.
But in the end, we lost not only the case but also the competition to an absolutely incredible Agathos team. I will not be surprised if they win Nationals this year. And thus it is 2nd place for us.
What an amazing USN Mock Trial team we had this year!
Alice Littlehale ’26 won MVP for the team, and Binyam Dunne ’26 was awarded #1 Best Advocate for the Defense in the entire tournament (they award 3 of these awards, but they are ordered 3, 2, and 1....and Binyam was #1). It is hard to explain what an accomplishment it is to earn a #1 Best Attorney award at the State Tournament.
There is no Nationals for us, but there is always next year. But certainly, no one would ever say that this was a building year.
The mighty 2026 State Mock Trial Team:
Binyam Dunne ’26
Alice Littlehale ’26
Isaac Fulton ’26
Greta Molvig ’28
Evan Giles ’26
Caroline Stinner ’27
Bryce Cochran ’26
Claire Smallman ’28
Alice Littlehale ’26
Isaac Fulton ’26
Greta Molvig ’28
Evan Giles ’26
Caroline Stinner ’27
Bryce Cochran ’26
Claire Smallman ’28
School News
List of 3 news stories.
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Vissepó’s 'Fantastical Views' creates space to connect
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Athletics News
List of 3 news stories.
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HS athletics recaps for September 3-10
Read MoreThe Tigers have come back strong after time away on retreats & a holiday weekend. While golf is nearing the end of its season, cross country and mountain biking are still at the beginning. Both teams are heading away to races this weekend. Girls soccer and volleyball are about halfway through their regular season competition, both teams with exciting district wins and more games to be played determining their standings for post season competition.Please join us at our home volleyball games Thursday, September 17, where our teams and school community will come together to honor the legacy of late Fitness Center Director William B. Scott. There will be space to share memories, be in community with one another, and remember a beloved member of the USN community. We hope to see you all there. -
MS athletics recaps for September 3-10
Read MoreOur Middle School teams have been crushing the courts this week. With strong performances by all volleyball teams and wins for both boys and girls tennis, the Tigers aren’t slowing down as they reach the midpoint of their seasons. Mountain biking will hit the trails for race No. 2 this weekend, and cross country runners crushed their first home meet.Please join us at our home High School volleyball games on Thursday, September 17 in the Sperling Gym, where our teams and school community will come together to honor the legacy of late Fitness Center Director William B. Scott. There will be space to share memories, be in community with one another, and remember a beloved member of the USN community. We hope to see you all there. -
Mountain Bike Team Race #1 Report - Chickasaw Trace Trails
The Mountain bike team began its 13th season as it almost always does, with anticipation high and mindful of the high heat on the trails on the banks of the Duck River at Chickasaw Trace park outside of Columbia, TN. Over 650 mountain bikers in grades 5-12 from across the state competed at this first race of the NICA-TICL season.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.