Cobb Reporter

Walton High School's Mock Trial team achieved a significant milestone by securing second place in the Georgia State Championship. Competing against 118 teams statewide, Walton students demonstrated their legal acumen and courtroom skills, establishing themselves as one of Georgia's leading programs.

The team excelled in the Region 11 competition for the second consecutive year, advancing through Region and District rounds with a 5-1 record and winning 15 out of 18 ballots from evaluators. At the State competition, they maintained their momentum with a 3-0 record, winning 8 out of 9 ballots to enter the Final Four as the top-ranked team. In a closely contested championship match against Decatur High School, Walton narrowly missed the state title with a 4-3 decision.

Senior members Zarek Grabski, William Minard, Tyler Sprague, and Tarun Swarnam played pivotal roles in leading the team to success. The guidance of Judge Jason Marbutt and William Atkins, along with other legal professionals who mentored students throughout the season, was invaluable. Faculty sponsors Lynette Ebbert and Anna Stanton also contributed significantly to the team's achievements.

With over 30 students participating—the largest group in program history—Walton's Mock Trial team set new standards for excellence. Their dedication led to notable success at the state level.

"Congratulations to the Walton Mock Trial on an outstanding season! We can’t wait to see what next year brings."