Over the past decade, Oklahoma District Judge Daman Cantrell has seen his mock trial students at Owasso High School do it all. \u00a0They\u2019ve practiced hard, grown the program exponentially, and established Owasso as one of the top mock trial teams in Oklahoma. Just one thing eluded them. <\/span><\/p>\n A state championship. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe got to the semi-finals several years in a row, and to the state finals the last three years, but could never get over the hump,\u201d said Judge Cantrell. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That all changed on March 7, 2018. \u00a0Finally, ten years after starting the program, Judge Cantrell got to watch his students become state champions after a dominant showing. \u00a0Their teams took first, second <\/span>and<\/i><\/b> fourth place, solidifying Owasso High School as a mock trial powerhouse. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t just kick the door down,\u201d said Judge Cantrell. \u201cWe shattered it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n While Owasso had an experienced group of students, one thing set them apart in 2018. \u00a0They competed at Empire New York in the fall. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI give a lot of credit to Empire for getting us over the finish line,\u201d noted Judge Cantrell.<\/span><\/p>\n If We Can Make It There, We Can Make It Anywhere<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The initial nerves that come with tackling a complex fact pattern on an international stage blossomed into confidence for the Owasso students. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe were a little nervous about how to handle the intricacies of the Empire case,\u201d senior Jenna Randall explained. \u00a0\u201cBut after it was over, we knew that we could actually compete on a world-wide level.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMock trial teaches you how to be a leader, but Empire put those abilities to the test,\u201d added Senior Presley Stevens. <\/span><\/p>\n In addition to honing their advocacy skills, the students credit Empire for helping their team build camaraderie and friendships. The students stayed in the heart of Times Square, argued their case in one of the world\u2019s most historic courthouses (SDNY), and met students from across the globe. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI appreciated the way that Empire structured the tournament so that it was very serious, but it made sure that mock trial didn\u2019t get in the way of making friendships,\u201d said Randall.<\/span><\/p>\n By all accounts, these friendships are going strong–lasting beyond the competition. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe all follow each other on social media now,\u201d said Presley about the new friends that she made at Empire. \u00a0\u201cWe know we have places to stay when we travel.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Owasso placed in the top third of Empire New York, besting some of the world\u2019s most experienced and accomplished mock trial teams. \u00a0That\u2019s an impressive accomplishment for a first-time Empire team. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt felt almost too good to be true,\u201d said Judge Cantrell. \u00a0\u201cWe exceeded our expectations.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Their success provided the team with the confidence boost that it needed for the season. \u00a0But according to their coach, there may have been another secret to their performance: a Frank Sinatra inspired rallying cry that they used as motivation:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf we can make it here, then we can make it anywhere.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n The Rams are hoping to ride those words all the way to Reno, Nevada, where they\u2019ll be representing the state of Oklahoma at the National High School Mock Trial Championship on May 11-12, 2018.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We send our well wishes to the entire team, on behalf of the Empire Family.<\/p>\n