Manalapan vs. Hopatcong to Air on MSG Varsity's 'The Challenge'

An all-star academic team from Manalapan High School earned a spot as a finalist in The Challenge, a tri-state bowl. A match played against Hopatcong High School, will air Tuesday, April 19, at 5:30 P.M. on MSG Varsity, Channel 14 on Cablevision iO TV.

The show’s 14th season kicked off on Oct. 31, 2010. The episodes were filmed at Penn Studio in New York in front a live audience and are aired throughout the school year. 

“These students are extremely bright and determined to win,” said Theresa Chillianis, General Manager of MSG Varsity in a press release.  “We wish Manalapan High School and Hopatcong High School good luck in their upcoming match.” 

Manalapan’s team is comprised of seniors Brent Bovenzi, Allyn Budka, Mojin Chen, Caren Fitzgerald and Nathaniel May, who is the team’s captain.  They are advised by math teachers Jess Friedman and Victoria McKeon. 

“This was the first year we went to the finals like that, so it was a little nerve-wracking,” said Friedman, reflecting on the experience.

Ultimately the students, who were recommended by teachers throughout the high school, were able to handle the pressure well.

“The kids had a ball; it’s exciting being on television,” added Friedman.

Previously, Manalapan defeated Fair Lawn High School in the first round of the competition by a final score of 300-150 points. The episode was aired in November. In case you missed it, the entire episode can be viewed here.

According to the New Jersey Herald, the episode that airs on Tuesday was taped in February.

Each show is a half-hour segment that features four different rounds: multiple choice, lightning round, free response, and the complete 180 round.  The students are quizzed on math, science, arts, literature, popular culture, and current events. Teams can also earn extra points by answering bonus questions.

Friedman said that the main challenge for the students was to keep their adrenaline in check and work the buzzer efficiently. Everything is timed perfectly on the show. If the students ring in too early, they can get locked out of responding. Also, similar to the game show “Jeopardy!”, the answers are subject to review even after the show has ended.

This year, the show was hosted by Jared Cotter, a former Fuse TV host and a semi-finalist on American Idol.

“The girls were smitten with him,” Friedman said with a laugh.

For a dash of school spirit, the Manalapan High School cheerleaders attended the event to root on their schoolmates. Friedman said the event is festive and the audience is filled with school colors; some audience members even made signs.

The Challenge began on Long Island and has grown to include 184 schools from five distinct New York regions, Nassau, Suffolk, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Westchester/Lower Hudson Valley, and neighboring states, New Jersey and Connecticut. Schools are chosen based on a lottery system.

The teams advance through a series of elimination rounds which take place over months. One school is named regional champion, winning $2500 for their school. The regional champs go on to compete against one another in a Tri-State Showdown. The Tri-State Champion receives $10,000 in prize money and, on an individual level, $500 is awarded to each student competing in the final Challenge Championship.

For more information on the team from Manalapan High School, including the students’ profiles, click here.

Be sure to catch the students in action on MSG Varsity, iO Cablevision Channel 14, tonight at 5:30 P.M.