Portsmouth Christian Academy Defeats Laconia HS in Round Two Match of Granite State Challenge

– Portsmouth Christian Academy Advances to Quarterfinals –

(DURHAM, January 16, 2009) – Portsmouth Christian Academy claimed a narrow victory over Laconia High School on Friday's Granite State Challenge. Portsmouth Christian defeated Laconia by a score of 200 to 175. Granite State Challenge airs Fridays @ 6 p.m. and again Saturdays @ 8:30 a.m. on New Hampshire Public Television. Seniors Sarah Wason, Kile Townsend, Emily Ruseski, and Michael Frudakis, and alternates Katy Sternberger, and Kayla Emerson comprised the triumphant Portsmouth Christian Eagles team, which was coached by Donna Capern. Juniors William Flanagan and Kyle Beetle, and sophomores Amy Cass and Matt Dassatti, comprised the Laconia Sachems team, which was coached by Granite State Challenge alum, Bernie Campbell ('97). Portsmouth Christian Academy moves on to the quarterfinals where they will face Merrimack High School. Tune in Friday, 1/23 @ 6 p.m. for the next match-up on Granite State Challenge Farmington High School vs. Stratford Public School Tune in each Friday night @ 6 p.m. and follow your favorite teams' 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 missed 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. Granite State Challenge brings New Hampshire's top high school academic teams head-to-head in spirited competition. The contest 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.