Austin Rettig Continues to Round of 8 in Darkhorse Dunker Competition

CHICAGO – Intersport, producers of the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships, today announced that eight "Dark Horse Dunkers" have advanced to round two of the "Dark Horse Dunker" contest for the College Slam Dunk Championship after more than 56,840 votes were cast by the public to help determine round one.

The final results from round one are as follows:

• Damarcus Croaker (68%) def. Chris Davenport (32%)
• Antonius Cleveland (56%) def. Collin Stewart (44%)
• Matt Bonds (51%) def. Xavier Smith (49%)
• Demetris Morant (63%) def. Buay Tuach (37%)
• Zeek Woodley (52%) def. Romond Jenkins (48%)
• Denzel Gregg (59%) def. Nick Sover (41%)
• Trayvon Palmer (52%) def. Brendyn Taylor (48%)
• Austin Rettig (51%) def. Khory Moore (49%)

The "Dark Horse Dunker" contest is a digital media contest that began on Feb. 14 by matching up 16 of the top college dunkers in a bracket-style competition to determine the final participant in the Slam Dunk Championship. After round one, eight players remain. Fans can start voting Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. ET for their favorite players in round two using an interactive bracket by entering DarkHorseDunker.com. The athlete with the most votes in each matchup will move on to the next round.

Video highlight reels of each competitor on the web site will help fans determine their choice. Voting for round two begins Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. ET and concludes March 1 at 1 p.m. ET. The schedule for each voting round will go as follows:

•Quarterfinals: Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. ET through March 1 at 1 p.m. ET (8 Players)

•Semifinals: March 2 at 1 p.m. ET through March 9 at 1 p.m. ET (4 Players)

•Finals: March 10 at 1 p.m. ET through March 17 at 1 p.m. ET (2 Players)

•Winner Announcement: March 17 at 1 p.m. ET

The player that ultimately receives the most votes in the final round will be selected to compete in the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships, an event featuring some of the best college dunkers and three-point shooters in the country, held annually in the Final Four host city. The 2017 State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships will air live on ESPN during Final Four weekend in Phoenix at 10 p.m. ET on March 30.

The 16 "Dark Horse Dunker" participants that began the contest were selected by a committee representing the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships. A complete bracket with matchup details can be found on DarkHorseDunker.com. Round two matchups are as follows:

• Damarcus Croaker vs. Antonius Cleveland
• Matt Bonds vs. Denzel Gregg
• Zeek Woodley vs. Demetris Morant
• Austin Rettig vs. Trayvon Palmer

Previous State Farm "Dark Horse Dunker" winners include Yunio Barrueta (Barry University) in 2016, Davene Carter (Tarleton State) and Antjuan Ball (West Texas A&M) in 2015, Marcus Lewis (Eastern Kentucky) in 2014, Corey Law (High Point) in 2013, James Justice (Martin Methodist College) in 2012, and Jacob Tucker (Illinois College) in 2011. Lewis, Justice and Tucker all went on to win the College Slam Dunk Championship.

For more information about the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships, visit our website collegeslam.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@CollegeSLAM).

About Intersport
Since 1985, Intersport has been an award-winning innovator and leader in the creation of sports, lifestyle and entertainment-based marketing platforms. With expertise in Sponsorship Consulting, Experiential Marketing, Hospitality, Customer Engagement, Content Marketing, Productions and Sports Properties, this Chicago-based Marketing & Media Solutions Company helps their clients to create ideas, content and experiences that attract and engage passionate audiences. To learn more about Intersport, visit www.intersportnet.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@IntersportBuzz).

About State Farm®
The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto, home and individual life insurance in the United States. Its 18,000 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve more than 83 million policies and accounts – nearly 81 million auto, home, life, health and commercial policies, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 35 on the 2016 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.