Agathos Classical School of Columbia was named the 2026 Tennessee State High School Mock Trial champion after two days of preliminary rounds. The school prevailed over the University School of Nashville. Tennessee State Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell presided over the round, while members of the TBA Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) Executive Committee, TBA President Heidi Barcus and TBA President-elect Charlotte Knight Griffin served as jurors. Earlier in the day, the top eight teams were announced, an MVP for each of the 16 teams was recognized, individual awards were presented to the best advocates and witnesses, and Unicoi County High School of Erwin was awarded the 2026 Sportsmanship Award. The top three artists in the inaugural Artist in the Courtroom Contest also were recognized. James Overstreet of Houston High School in Germantown was selected as the top artist.

Special thanks to YLD Mock Trial Committee Chair John Jolley, Vice Chair Bridget Pyman, Long Range Planning Coordinator Ashley Tipton and members of the committee for organizing this year's event, which involved 16 teams, more than 200 participants and more than 100 volunteers, including sitting Tennessee judges, lawyers and the YLD's Diversity Leadership Institute's law students. Agathos Classical School will represent Tennessee at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Des Moines, Iowa in May. The team is coached by Columbia attorneys Jason Whatley and Cory Ricci of Whatley & Associates and Luke Worsham.

Individuals interested in learning more about mock trial are encouraged to view the new TBA YLD Mock Trial 101 video available on the TBA website.

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell (left) with the Tennessee State Champions from Agathos Classical School

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell (left) with members of the 2nd place team from University School of Nashville

TBA YLD President Judge Alex McVeagh (left) and TBA President Heidi Barcus (right) with the Unicoi County High School mock trial team, which won the 2026 Sportsmanship Award

Participants await mock trial results at the awards ceremony

Left: TBA YLD President Judge Alex McVeagh addresses participants during the awards ceremony

Right: TBA President Heidi Barcus addresses participants during the awards ceremony

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Left: Mock Trial Chair John Jolley (left) and Mock Trial Vice-Chair Bridget Pyman (right) announce winners at the awards ceremony

Right: Coin flip between University School of Nashville (left) and Agathos Classical School (right)

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell presides over the championship round

Members of the TBA YLD Mock Trial Committee. From left: Paige Barbeauld, Ashley Tipton, Judge Zack Walden, Daniel Zydel, John Jolley, Bridget Pyman, Anne Boatner, Kate Melby and Mitch Raines