ConVal Regional High Meets Defending Champions Merrimack High

Durham, NH (March 2, 2026) - The ConVal Regional High Cougars meet defending champs, the Tomahawks of Merrimack High in game four of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE on Thursday, March 5th at 8:30 p.m. on New Hampshire PBS.

The ConVal Cougars bring a balanced mix of experience and emerging talent to the competition. The team is captained by Ben Michaud, a 12th-grader, and includes Ben Ferrisi, a 9th-grader, along with 11th-graders Vincent Hollenbeck and Iris Palmer. Supporting the lineup as alternates are Colin Maybury, a 10th-grader, and Marcus Jordan, an 11th-grader. The Cougars are coached by Social Studies teachers Eric Bowman and Chris Heider. ConVal enrolls 630 students in Hillsborough County and serves the towns of Antrim, Bennington, Dublin, Francestown, Greenfield, Hancock, Peterborough, Sharon and Temple. ConVal Regional High played in the first season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE in 1984.

With a range of freshmen to seniors, the ConVal coaches are encouraged by what they see in their team. “We meet weekly to do trivia practice, but it doesn’t feel like practice,” said coach Eric Bowman. “It’s just getting together and having fun.”

Coach Chris Heider added that the ConVal team is ready to take on the challenge. “I think they’re pretty well rounded.”

ConVal team captain Ben Michaud and his teammates are energized by both the upcoming game and the seasons ahead. “We have a pretty much brand-new team, I’m the only returning member from last year,” said Ben. “I’m excited, we have a young core of people, so they’ll definitely be here for the next two or three years. So obviously we want to win this year, but if not, our future is bright.”

The Merrimack Tomahawks are led by captain Avis Clever, a 12th-grader, and include fellow 12th-graders Bridget Clark and Lauren Murby, along with Jeremy Nigen, an 11th-grader. Serving as team alternates are Zach Tiller, an 11th-grader and Tess Howes, a 10th-grader. The team is coached by Chemistry teacher Dr. Sara Campbell and ESOL teacher Jess Kueblbeck. Merrimack has an enrollment of 1,100 students and, with five championship trophies, holds more titles than any other school—winning in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

“It’s a new team and a new year,” said Merrimack coach Dr. Sara Campbell. “You never know who you’re going to play, and you never know if all your preparation and hard work is going to be enough,” said Campbell. She’s often surprised by the depth of her student’s knowledge. “I read a question and I’m like there’s no way they’re going to get this, and somehow magically they know it.”

Merrimack team captain Avis Clever started out as a team alternate her sophomore year and then was on the winning team last year. “All the people that I was playing with for the last two years are gone now. That’s a little odd, but it feels good. We have a very good team this year,” said Avis.

Hosted by Bow High School teacher and former GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE coach (Bedford High), contestant (Belmont High), and GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE crew member, Jon Cannon, GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE features some of New Hampshire's brightest high school students as they demonstrate remarkable teamwork, quick thinking, and smarts to beat the clock and buzz in first on this iconic New Hampshire game show. The game emphasizes quick recall of math, science, social studies, language arts, and fine arts facts - along with questions about current events, entertainment, sports and New Hampshire.

Catch the next game of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE on Thursday, March 5th at 8:30 p.m. on NHPBS. You can also steam it on the PBS App, the NHPBS YouTube channel, or online at nhpbs.org/gsc.

Test your knowledge with GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE online quizzes, and more at the GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE web page, or try your hand at daily brain teasers on the GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE Facebook page.

GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE is funded by lead sponsor Unitil with additional funding from Safety Insurance and NEA New Hampshire.

About New Hampshire PBS: New Hampshire PBS inspires, educates and connects all Granite Staters every month—on-air, online, on mobile, in classrooms, and across our communities. From award-winning local and national programs to innovative education and community initiatives, we’re turning stories into action and ideas into impact across the Granite State. Driven by passion. Fueled by you. We are 100% community funded.

Station Management

Peter A. Frid
President & CEO
pfrid@nhpbs.org
603-868-1100

Dawn DeAngelis
Vice President & Chief Content Officer
ddeangelis@nhpbs.org
603-868-1100

Pressroom Contact

Carla Gordon Russell
Director of Communications
crussell@nhpbs.org
(603) 868-4339