Rhinelander High School broke its own state record this past weekend at the Wood County Courthouse in Wisconsin Rapids capturing its 28th consecutive Regional Mock Trial championship.  

The tournament was power-paired, resulting in a match between the only two undefeated teams in the final round, Rhinelander No. 1 and Wisconsin Rapids No. 1. RHS No. 1 prevailed to remain perfect on the day with a 4-0 record and 12/12 ballots.

RHS No. 2 finished in fourth place with a 3-1 record and 7/12 ballots. Both teams defeated Lakeland Union High School which finished fifth. Other teams participating in the competition were Marshfield No. 1 and No. 2, Stratford No. 1 and No. 2, Wisconsin Rapids No. 2, Phillips No. 1 and No. 2, and Merrill. The tournament was sponsored by the Wisconsin Law Foundation and was coordinated by attorney Richard Weymouth of Wisconsin Rapids. 

RHS No. 1 is led by senior co-captains, Lydia O’Brien and Amber Sheth, the only returning members of last year’s state championship team. Their teammates are juniors, Mike Anderson and Erin Tenderholt, sophomores Anna Catlin and Emily Ditzler, and freshmen Albiona Sabani, Ellie Rickman and Sydney Schallock.

Members of RHS No. 2 are sophomores, Jarod Hoha, Faith Carris and Bethany Stelbrink, and freshmen Erin Bloom, Max Holperin, Zack DuBois and Matthew O’Melia.    

The RHS teams are coached by Kathy Vick-Martini, attorney Jim Jacobi and Oneida Circuit Court judge Michael Bloom.  Also assisting the team this year are Nicolet play director, Jim Nuttal, attorneys Amy Ferguson, Steve Michlig and Jim Weis, and retired Oneida Circuit Court Judge Robert E. Kinney.

RHS No. 1 will advance to the State Mock Trial Tournament in Madison March 9 and 10. In the past 30 years since the program’s inception, teams from Rhinelander have won the state championship 16 times, including six of the last 10 years. Approximately 100 teams statewide are competing in the tournament this year.