Despite trailing for most of the game, ConVal mounted a comeback with a strong performance in Round Four to defeat defending champion Merrimack High School, 350–315, on the New Hampshire PBS quiz show “Granite State Challenge” Thursday, March 5.

Senior captain Ben Michaud led the ConVal Cougars. Team members included ninth-grader Ben Ferrisi and juniors Vincent Hollenbeck and Iris Palmer. Alternates were sophomore Colin Maybury and junior Marcus Jordan. The team was coached by social studies teachers Eric Bowman and Chris Heider.

The Merrimack Tomahawks were captained by senior Avis Clever and included seniors Bridget Clark and Lauren Murby and junior Jeremy Nigen. Alternates were junior Zach Tiller and sophomore Tess Howes. The team was coached by chemistry teacher Dr. Sara Campbell and ESOL teacher Jess Kueblbeck. Merrimack High School has appeared in every “Granite State Challenge” championship game since 2020, winning five of the last six titles.

ConVal jumped out to an early lead but soon fell behind the defending champions.

Merrimack performed strongly during the challenging “Three Strikes and You’re Out” round, directing all three available passes to Nigen, who correctly answered questions on topics ranging from Black Sabbath to “Rocky” to filmmaker Ken Burns. The Tomahawks then answered nine of 10 questions correctly in the 60-second round.

Granite State Challenge teams from ConVal and Merrimack face off. COURTESY
Granite State Challenge teams from ConVal and Merrimack face off. COURTESY
Captains Ben Michaud and Avis Clever shake hands. COURTESY
Captains Ben Michaud and Avis Clever shake hands. COURTESY
Vincent Hollenbeck, Ben Ferrisi and Ben Michaud consult. COURTESY
Vincent Hollenbeck, Ben Ferrisi and Ben Michaud consult. COURTESY
The ConVal High School Granite State Challenge quiz team. The team consists of team Iris Palmer, Vincent Hollenbeck, Ben Ferrisi, Ben Michaud, alternates Colin Maybury and Marcus Jordan, and coahes Eric Bowman and Chris Heider. COURTESY
The ConVal High School Granite State Challenge quiz team. The team consists of team Iris Palmer, Vincent Hollenbeck, Ben Ferrisi, Ben Michaud, alternates Colin Maybury and Marcus Jordan, and coahes Eric Bowman and Chris Heider. COURTESY

ConVal struggled in the Three Strikes round, answering just one question correctly, but rebounded with a perfect score in the 60-second round, answering all 10 questions correctly to regain momentum.

That teamwork proved decisive in Round Four.

“I think everybody had a buzz-in in that round and was able to contribute,” Michaud said.

Merrimack entered the final round with an 85-point lead, but several incorrect answers allowed ConVal to close the gap. During the final four questions, the Cougars surged ahead and held on for the win.

“They played really hard. They played a good game,” Merrimack coach Sara Campbell said. “There were a lot of good answers, but ConVal just had a better day. They were a really good team.”

“Merrimack is a great team,” ConVal coach Eric Bowman added. “Our guys just hung in there, and it came right down to the end.”

One of the few questions both teams missed asked what the 36 columns of the Lincoln Memorial represent — the number of states in the Union at the time of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.

Hosted by Bow High School teacher Jon Cannon, “Granite State Challenge” features teams of New Hampshire high school students competing in a fast-paced academic quiz game covering subjects including math, science, history, literature and current events.