John Stark Regional High School Defeats Oyster River High School in Granite State Challenge

- High School Quiz Competition Available on NHPTV, Video Podcast, and YouTube -

(DURHAM, May 15, 2008) - Two-time SuperChallenge finalist John Stark Regional High School defeated two-time SuperChallenge champs Oyster River High School by a score of 260 to 230 in an exciting semifinal match-up of New Hampshire Public Television's Granite State Challenge. Seniors Mariah Brennan Clegg, Jon Richardson, Joseph Plunkett, Ben Mueser, and alternates Richard Berthiaume, and Emily Petersen, comprised the victorious John Stark Generals team, which was coached by Jill Pinard and Dan Marcus. Their opponents, the Oyster River Bobcats, included senior Joshua Handelsman, juniors Adam Mistretta and Gabriel Dorfsman-Hopkins, sophomore Alexe Taylor, and alternates Caleigh MacPherson and Michael Noronha. They were coached by Susan C. Smith. John Stark Regional High School faces Winnacunnet Regional High School in the Granite State SuperChallenge on Thursday, 5/29 @ 8 p.m. Each team has reached the SuperChallenge twice before, but victory has eluded them. Which team will finally bring back the trophy? Don't miss it! Special Day and Time: Granite State SuperChallenge on Thursday, 5/29 @ 8 p.m. John Stark Regional High School vs. Winnacunnet Regional High School Tune in each Wednesday night @ 7:30 p.m. to follow your favorite teams and track their progress. The popular quiz contest begins with 32 Granite State high school teams battling toward the coveted SuperChallenge title. There are four single-elimination rounds leading to the final contest in May. If you miss a match and want to see how your favorite team fared, watch Granite State Challenge online at www.nhptv.org/gsc and on YouTube, or download it from the Granite State Challenge website or iTunes Music Store as a video podcast. Now celebrating its 25th year, Granite State Challenge brings New Hampshire's top high school academic teams head-to-head in spirited competition. The game emphasizes quick recall of factual material in all major disciplines - math, science, social studies, language arts, and fine arts - along with a smattering of pop culture trivia and New Hampshire topics. Long-time host Jim Jeannotte asks the Challenge questions to the teams; co-host Tim Estiloz interviews team members prior to the game. Major funding for Granite State Challenge is provided by the New Hampshire Lottery. Additional funding is provided by Public Service of New Hampshire, the Community College System of New Hampshire, Irving Oil, and the NHHEAF Network Organizations.