Plaintiff vs. Havre de Grace
On Wednesday, February 11th, Fallston’s plaintiff team was victorious against Havre de Grace’s defense team. After their bye week, the team’s hard work payed off in their first playoff win, bringing their record to 4-0.
The lawyers for this trial worked vigorously on their direct and cross questions, as well as the opening and closing statements. The lawyers were seniors Cole McCumbers and Erin Dorsey, and sophomore Samantha Newman. McCumbers received five scores of 9 and one 10, which is “exceptional” in terms of mock trial scoring.
The witnesses were seniors Joseph Reinhardt and Alexander “Mac” Fisher, and freshman Carly Constantino. Reinhardt and Fisher received 10s on direct.
One judge had the team winning by 28 points, and the other by 14. Winning margins in mock trial matches are often exceedingly small, so this win was major for the school.
Plaintiff vs. Franklin – Quarterfinals
On February 18th, Fallston’s plaintiff team took home their fifth win against the 2025 Circuit 3 champions, Franklin High School. This was a very close match, with the win coming down to a tie point.
The team underwent changes for this match, in hopes of putting their best team forward in deep playoffs. The lawyers were seniors Cole McCumbers and article contributor Anna Newman, alongside junior Samantha Evans. According to the judge, Judge Feldman, Newman’s opening was “perfect,” and the other scorers noted that McCumbers’ direct questioning was great.
Lawyers Erin Dorsey and Samantha Newman had a huge behind-the-scenes part of the win, helping make the opening and questions for Newman and Evans.
The witnesses stayed the same, and they were Mac Fisher, Joe Reinhardt, and Carly Constantino. All witnesses got two 10s, except for Constantino, who got three.
For this match, there were two scorers. One scorer had Fallston losing by two points, and the other had the match ending in a tie. In accordance to Maryland MyLaw mock trial rules, when the judges do not agree with the winner, the match goes to the tie point. Tie points are awarded by the judge of the trial, who gave the point to Fallston.
Defense vs. Beth Tfiloh – Semifinals
On February 24th, after two consecutive plaintiff trials, the team switched sides to defense. In this match, they won again against Beth Tfiloh in yet another close trial.
More changes happened this week, and the lawyers for defense were the same as the quarterfinal plaintiff lawyers. These were Anna Newman, Samantha Evans, Cole McCumbers.
The judge, Judge Harry Levy, noted that McCumbers’ cross examination was exceptional, that Evans had a great closing, and that Newman was a “mesmerizing” and commanding speaker.
Behind-the-scenes, prior defense lawyers Sydney Nwachukwu and Gabriella Blasko helped the team out with the opening and questions as well.
The witnesses also underwent changes this week, especially since Newman, who is now a defense lawyer, used to be the defendant. Joe Reinhardt took on this new role, and Mac Fisher also expanded to a new witness role. Regan McLaughlin kept her same part, and she also received shout-outs from Judge Levy.
For this trial, the win came down to another tie point. One scorer had Fallston winning by one point, and the other had Beth Tfiloh winning by one point. Judge Levy awarded Fallston the tie point, sending them to the Circuit 3 finals.
Next up for Fallston, the plaintiff team will be going against The Park School in the ceremonial court room in Towson. This marks a record-breaking moment for the school and county, as no Harford County School has ever been to circuit finals.
They beat the record they set just last year, when they were the first Harford County team to go to semifinals.
