Mock Trial Team Wraps Up Season

By Morsal Abdali
Copy Editor | The Pacific Times

For the second year in a row, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep’s High School Mock Trial team concluded the county competition in second place. 

The Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County competition, which started on Jan. 28 and wrapped up on Feb. 10, included 24 participating schools from Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, and Yuba Counties. 

NP3 Mock Trial has advanced to the quarter-finals for the past four years in a row. Each year, teams participating in the competition are guaranteed four preliminary rounds, however only eight teams advance to the quarter-finals round and only four advance to the semi-finals. 

The NP3 team faced a considerable competition from top schools prior to the final round of competition on Feb. 3 from schools such as Sacramento Country Day, Elk Grove, and Jesuit high schools. For the first time in the NP3’s history, the team entered their final round against Sacramento Country Day with an undefeated streak, having win every preliminary round, as well as their quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.

“Getting second place this year has been bittersweet,” said Mckenna Preszler, one of the senior captains on the team, who joined her freshman year as an attorney. “On one hand, second place in such a competitive county as Sacramento is really impressive. On the other hand, we wanted to win and as a senior it was my last chance to contribute to that. Overall, I’m really proud of our team and all the work we put in.”

The team is coached by attorney coach Angel Pineda and Placer Superior Court Commissioner Shani Roark. 

“2025 was another successful Mock Trial season with a strong second place finish, having a record of 6-1 this year,” said Pineda. “As a coach, the best part for me is seeing the exponential growth of our seven seniors who are going to be very difficult to replace. However, I am excited to see which underclassmen step up next year to continue to build on the legacy the seniors have created.”