SPORTS WRAP
There’s been a murder.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of high school mock trial in Minnesota, teams are working with a criminal homicide case. Owatonna has qualified to take its student lawyers and witnesses to the state competition March 6 and 7.
Junior captain Ayoub Farah says it takes commitment.
“In my role as a defense attorney, you have to be passionate and have energy. Because if you’re not passionate about it, why should the jury care about your client? Why should they rule in your favor?”
Senior Erin Baker likes being rated by people who work in the field. “We either typically get real attorneys or even actual judges. So, people who are super experienced.” Each student lawyer and attorney is judged and scored individually for an overall team score.
She enjoys dressing the part in professional attire. “As a new person, it can seem a bit overwhelming because it feels like you’re in a real courthouse and it feels like the trial is real. Like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m actually being accused of murder right now.’”
There is some memorization of scripted lines, but it shouldn’t sound rehearsed according to Baker.
“Then you get [cross-examined]. And that’s a bit more intense… And it can be a little scary and a little on the spot, but you really learn how to adapt and make answers on the spot, and it can be a lot of fun,” said Baker.
“As a witness you’re supposed to embody the role that you choose. You’re supposed to be that person in the courtroom. While as an attorney you can be more yourself and make the role more your own,” said Farah.
Witnesses can’t stray from details in affidavits.
As a captain, Baker works with the prosecution in addition to being a witness. She originally got involved with a pre-law career track in mind. That’s switched to international relations, but she loves what she’s learned in mock trial. “It ranges from public speaking to debate to problem solving skills and thinking on the spot which are extremely important life skills.”
Farah, who joined at his sister’s encouragement, believes he would like to become a lawyer. “I’ve learned three main things: communication, teamwork and leadership. My freshman year, I was loud, but I didn’t really know how to communicate effectively. So, mock trial was super effective in making me both a leader and someone who can share their thoughts out in a cohesive manner.”
OHS went 3-1 on the season and beat Albert Lea in regionals.
ExCEL winner
Farah is Owatonna’s ExCEL Award recipient, a state high school league program that honors students on their extra-curriculars and community involvement. “I just enjoy the stuff I do. Speech, mock trial… I’m learning constantly. Cross-country and track, I enjoy the community, the coaches and my teammates. I don’t do anything I don’t find joy from,” said Farah.
New course leader
He always figured he wanted to do something in his hometown. His experiences have led him into a teaching and coaching career. 2011 OHS grad Josh Woodrich was named the Huskies boys golf coach in December – his first varsity head coaching opportunity.
He’s coached middle school golf since 2019, been on the wrestling staff for 13 years and is the junior varsity head coach, and coaches middle school football.
Woodrich told the Owatonna Live Coaches Show that he wants to pay forward the experiences he had.
“Seeing what my coaches did for me and hoping I can have that same impact on the kids that I coach. I’ve always lived in Owatonna, and it’s really shaped me into the person I am and given me a lot of opportunities. So, just doing whatever I can to give back to [this] community that helped me so much in my achievements and my life as well,” said Woodrich.
“I think the biggest thing is just caring about the kids and wanting them to get as many opportunities to compete as they can,” he said.
He enjoys the relationships developed and lessons learned. “Ultimately, we want to win meets and win tournaments but that’s not necessarily the end goal of all of it. I know back when I was in high school a lot of my coaches really pushed me and helped me become a good human and a good person.”
He says golf offers the chance to learn how to overcome adversity. “If you hit a bad shot, you have to get past it and keep moving forward.”
Woodrich will be assisted by Cole Orlowski and a holdover. “Mark Rodde is going to stay on and help coach and be our technician guy.” Returners to lead the Huskies this spring include Mason Pelinka, Jack Langlois, and Grady Roush.
He says Owatonna has great resources with three golf courses and multiple indoor options, including a simulator and putting area in the district office (old high school.)
Woodrich has been a sixth-grade English and science teacher since 2015. He likes how things can be a little different each day, and how he can make an impact like in coaching.
He becomes just the third head coach in the last 44 years for OHS boys golf, succeeding Mark Langlois (the last eight seasons) and Keith Bangs (the previous 35 years.)
“It’s really cool to be the guy,” said Woodrich.