I read your article on March 16 that featured the mock trial competition recently held in Glenwood Springs. First let me start by saying congratulations to the two Glenwood teams that made it to state. They did a fantastic job and were inspiring to watch.

However it was very disappointing to see that there was hardly any mention of the Rifle team in the two full pages of the article. Granted the Rifle team did not place and won’t be going to state, but as the Honorable Judge Neiley commented, the Rifle team was a “diamond in the rough” and will be a team to watch out for next year.

The Rifle kids worked very hard to go up against the dominating Glenwood teams and should be acknowledged for their efforts. Most of the Rifle team is made up of freshman, and for many of the team members this was their first competition. It would be a mistake for their hard work to go unrecognized. The coaches of the Rifle team should also be recognized, they take time out of their busy lives to mentor and prepare these kids for competition. Here is to the hardworking mock trial team for Rifle High School: Great job, Halah Harmon, Hector Salas, Hecotr Alaniz, Kohl Keithley, Caden Knudsen, Mirian Wilks, Samuel Rossilli, Jerica Yoder, Zephrey Prestholt, Alvaro Hernandez, Ian Bodrogi and John Steele.

And a huge thanks to the coaches who take an interest in volunteering and mentoring our youth: Judge Jon Pototosky, Anthony Rossilli, Katie Hayes, Anglela Aibner Strode, Tim Graves, Dan LeMoine and Angela Roff.