The Huntington High School mock trial team continued to steamroll its opposition as the Blue Devils won the Suffolk championship, arguing its way past Ward Melville in the county finals. Huntington will now vie for the state title later this spring.
There was plenty of tension as the action played out at the Suffolk County Bar Association’s headquarters in Hauppauge. Huntington relied on its complement of slick and savvy lawyers along with its knowledgeable and articulate witnesses to win its eighth straight trial without a loss this season.
“I am just so beyond proud of my team this season,” Emily Geller said. “We truly were the underdogs as we haven’t been in the finals in several years. Everyone’s collective hard work and determination definitely shined in this competition, which is what brought us the county title. As someone who has been part of the mock trial program for four years, it is amazing to end on such a high. We cannot wait for the state championship and this is certainly not the last time you'll be hearing about the blue devils mock trial team winning championships.”
Huntington’s volunteer legal advisors Xavier Palacios and John LoTurco and faculty advisors Suzi Biagi and Greg Dieterich were ecstatic with the team’s victory. The Blue Devils celebrated with a lavish dinner in a private room at Prime restaurant on New York Avenue in Huntington.
“We have such amazing potential with our younger members and I think we will secure every county title going forward,” Ms. Geller said. “I can’t speak without thanking Xavier Palacios and John LoTurco for their extreme devotion and dedication to our team. We could not have done this without them!”
After winning four consecutive regular season trials to qualify for the Sweet 16 playoff round, Huntington edged Bay Shore, Smithtown West and top seeded East Islip before besting Ward Melville for the Suffolk crown.
“I’m so excited that we won the county championship, especially in my senior year,” Ashley Genao said. “Everyone preformed with such poise and excellence. I’m so proud of all the hard work we all put in to be undefeated Suffolk County champions. Now we are prepping for states in May and I know we can bring home that state championship as well!”
The Huntington legal wizards are determined to make a statement on the state level. But first, they plan to thoroughly enjoy winning the county title.
“I am so proud of every single one of my teammates for having such a successful season,” Jillian LoTurco said. “Everyone has spent so much time preparing for this day and we couldn’t be more excited. We couldn’t have done it without our two amazing coaches, Xavier Palacios and John LoTurco. Our next stop is states and we will continue to work hard in preparing for it.”
