Mock Trial team advances with unanimous jury decisions
![Group photo of the Mock Trial team]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770404890/uscsdk12paus/rr2ma4pnwivotnnbdvwc/MockTrial1-np.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770404890/uscsdk12paus/rr2ma4pnwivotnnbdvwc/MockTrial1-np.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770404890/uscsdk12paus/rr2ma4pnwivotnnbdvwc/MockTrial1-np.png","width":800}])
The Upper St. Clair High School Mock Trial team recently won unanimous jury decisions at the district level of the 2026 Pennsylvania Mock Trial Competition, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
The USC plaintiff team competed against West Mifflin High School on Jan. 29, 2026, and the defense team faced Seton LaSalle on Feb. 3. Both trials were held at the Pittsburgh City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh. With these victories, USC advances to district playoff competition scheduled for late February or early March.
The plaintiff team includes Maria Alfredson Themudo, Molly Biedrzycki, Augusta Bottonari, Michaela Pacella, Seth Pedretti, Suhavi Singh and Harshini Sivakumar. The defense team is comprised of Josh Beitler, Kaaveri Patil, Ian Putorti, Myles Owens, Anushka Sen, Austin Szpara and Hayley Zeringue.
USC’s Mock Trial team is sponsored by Doug Kirchner, gifted education teacher, and attorney Lauren Mathews, serves as the team’s advisor.
Each year, Mock Trial participants across Pennsylvania prepare and present a fictional case. This year’s case centered on a civil medical malpractice lawsuit. Upper St. Clair competes in Region 1, one of 10 regions statewide, alongside 36 public and private schools from across Allegheny County.
The Pennsylvania Mock Trial Competition provides more than 290 high school teams statewide with the opportunity to serve as attorneys and witnesses in simulated civil trials before real judges and panels of jurors. Local attorneys volunteer their time as team advisors, scorekeepers and regional coordinators. The team that ultimately wins the state competition advances to represent Pennsylvania at the national level.
- USCHS