News Releases
Scholarship Challenge First Round: Montrose Wins
By Dennis Lantz
CQ Services
Sat, 29 Jan 2005 8:59 PM
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| The Montrose Meteor team has advanced to the Final Round of the First Citizens' National Bank Scholarship Challenge. They were the first round winners Saturday afternoon. |
And with that question, posed to students from Athens and Canton, the 25th annual Scholarship Challenge, sponsored by First Citizens’ National Bank, began.
Round one of the Challenge had all the drama one expects from this award-winning high school team trivia competition… back and forth action, a few stops to ask the judges to make rulings, highly intelligent local students… and the secret pleasure of audience members when they happen to know an answer.
Held for the second year at the Waverly Jr. – Sr. High School auditorium, the opening day for the silver anniversary of the show was special for host Chuck Carver.
“Who knew that this thing we started so long ago would still be around,” Carver said. “I view it as a blessing and it has become a very big part of our life.”
The community support has been tremendous, he added.
Teams participating on the opening day included Athens, Canton, Montrose, Sullivan County, Troy and Wellsboro.
The opening match had the team from Athens facing the team from Canton.
The Athens Area Wildcats, coached for the second year by Mike and Mary Clare Bronson had Max Lichtenstein, Jeff King, Amanda Gates and Ashley Faerber. James Kelly and Jessica Schiller were alternates.
The Canton Warriors, coached by William Holland, had Abby Patton, Amanda Longenecker, Jordan Kirby and Alex Robertson. Alternates were Andrew McLaughlin and Jason Gum.
As most fans of the tournament know… sometimes it comes down to the last question… and often that translates into who can hit their buzzer the fastest.
Canton eked out a win when Alex Robertson correctly answered ‘What holiday song commemorates the days between December 25 and Jan. 6?… The answer? The Twelve Days of Christmas.
In the second match-up of the afternoon, the Troy Trojans faced off with the Sullivan County Griffins.
Troy, coached by Matt Harold, included Chris Wilbur, Charlie Allen, John Bailey and Sharon McNett. Joe Navikas was the alternate.
Rebecca Ferguson coached Sullivan County, past winner of the Kwasnoski Cup. The team included Becky Smithkors, Alicia Kravetz, Dane Denmon and Bob Widell. Alternates were Lindsay Frank and Lisa Beaver.
The Trojans pulled ahead early and never relinquished that lead. They ended the match-up a 210 to 30 winner.
Next up, Canton squared off against Montrose. The Meteors had a first round bye and were raring for some action.
For Montrose, James Cain, Shane Jones, Gina Cherundolo, Kaitlyn Kurosky and alternate Sean Jones are coached by 17-year Challenge veteran Eileen Baessler.
Montrose pulled ahead early and finished off the final round with a 160 to 70 victory.
In the next match-up, Troy faced Wellsboro, who had a first round bye and had waited a long time to take the stage to compete.
Advisor Lisa Highen’s Green Hornet team consisted of Mike Reinol, Marla Rice, Ben Sawyer, Dan Wong and had Anna McCarthy and David Sweeney as alternates.
Wellsboro led after both the first round and the teams were tied at 50-50 going into the final round where each correct answer is worth 20 points. No one wanted to give a wrong answer, as this would subtract 10 points from their team score.
After the final question, Troy had the victory by the score of 80 to 70.
First Round Finals: The final match-up of the day was to determine which of the six teams would advance to the First Citizens’ Bank Scholarship Challenge finals in April.
A hot Montrose team faced off against a Troy team that had already won twice.
After the first ten questions, Troy held a 60 to 30 advantage.
The Meteors started their comeback and at the end of round two, the teams were knotted up at 50-50.
As every team knows, this is a three-round competition and a lot of ground can be made up with a good third round. The Meteor team showed its depth and pulled away for the 150 to 70 win.
Montrose advances to the finals on April 2nd. They will face the winners of the rounds 2, 3 and 4.
Round Two - Feb. 12
Spencer-VanEtten, OFA, Waverly, Maine Endwell and Susquehanna Valley.
Round Three - Feb. 26
Blue Ridge, Towanda, Wyalusing, Northeast Bradford, North Penn and Sayre.
Round Four:
Tioga, Elmira Southside, Notre Dame, Mansfield, Elmira Free Academy and Dryden.
Finals: The finals will be held on April 2, 2005.
The teams participating in the silver anniversary of the Scholarship Challenge are:
Senior High Teams
Athens Area; Blue Ridge; Canton; Dryden; E.F.A; Horseheads; Maine-Endwell; Mansfield; Montrose; North Penn; Northeast Bradford; Notre Dame; Owego Free Academy; Sayre; Southside; Spencer-VanEtten; Sullivan County; Susquehanna Valley; Tioga Central; Towanda; Troy; Waverly; Wellsboro and Wyalusing.
Junior High Teams
Athens Harlan Rowe; Epiphany; Northeast Bradford; Sayre; Tioga Center; Towanda Area; Troy and Waverly.
The Kwasnoski Cup:
The cup is named in memory of the late Dan Kwasnoski, who served as captain of the 1984 Athens Scholarship Challenge Team. Dan's family annually presents the traveling trophy to the captain of the winning team, in loving tribute to his memory.
Past winners of the Kwasnoski Cup are:
Elmira Free Academy:
1999-1996- 1990-1983
Sullivan County:
1998-1993
Athens:
2001-1997-1994
Maine Endwell:
1995, 2004
Tioga Central:
1992-1987-1982-1981
Towanda:
1991-1988-1984
Wyalusing:
1989
Horseheads:
1986-1985-2000-2003
Waverly:
2002
Prize Money:
1st Place: $2000
2nd Place: $1000
3rd & 4th Place: $500
5th-8th Place: $350
Waverly Jr. – Sr. High School:
The Waverly Jr. – Sr. High School is located at 1 Frederick Street, in the Village of Waverly. The entrance is in the middle of the building facing the parking lot. The Challenge will take place in the auditorium... which is straight ahead and to your right after you enter the building.
DIRECTIONS: From Chemung Street Waverly, (Rt.17C) turn north on Ball Street (at the former Sugar Creek Convenience Store) and follow Ball St. until it dead ends into the high school.
To Reach Chemung Street: From Route 17/I-86: Take exit 61, turn left onto Cayuta Ave. Follow Cayuta (North) under the underpass, straight through the stop sign to the blinker light. Turn left onto Chemung Street/Rt.17C (See Above)
From Route 220: Follow 220 as far north as it goes, to a "T" in Waverly just after you cross over Route 17/I-86. Turn right onto Chemung Street/Rt.17C. (See Above)
Some Other First Round Questions:
All we know of this person comes from the writings of his most famous student, Plato? (Socrates)
Last year Barry Bonds became the third player to hit 700 home runs… who were the other two? (Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth)
If you know your Latin, the original purpose of an umbrella is to what? (To give shade)
Who is the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.? (John Danforth)
What is the main ingredient in pewter? (Tin)
For more questions, play the quiz on the Scholarship Challenge website.
For more information contact WATS/WAVR at 204 Desmond St. Sayre, PA 18840. Phone – (570) 888-7745
Used by permission from CQ Services, Inc.
