From the Associated Press and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Participants take 54-hour contest seriously 

Last Updated: April 14, 2000

Stevens Point (AP) - Some may call it useless information, but it is an excuse for Pat Edgerton to spend extra time this weekend with her family.

Edgerton and her kin are one of the hundreds of teams participating in what is advertised as the world's biggest trivia contest.

The 54-hour marathon, which began Friday, confronts teams with eight questions an hour.

"It's a good chance for my friends and kids and grandchildren to all get together," Edgerton said, predicting on Friday she would get no sleep through Sunday night.

The children are an important part of the team because they are experts on Pokemon and cartoons, she said.

There is no certain way to prepare for the contest, which is broadcast by WWSP-FM.

For example, one of last year's key questions was: "What is the name of the only player in the World Skating League who skates on quad skates?"

Quad skates are roller skates with four wheels.

Some teams found the answer: Mark D'Amato.

Participation in the annual contest changes the way one thinks, Edgerton said.

"You always go to the movies with note cards," she said. "You need at least 15 note cards to watch a Rose Bowl parade."

Gary LaVake and one of his 50 teammates, Bob Cummings, agreed.

"I look at movies in a whole different light now," LaVake said. "You're always thinking, 'That would be a good trivia question.'"

LaVake has been in the contest for six years. At first, his team didn't want to take the game seriously, but that attitude quickly changed, Cummings said.

"We were just going to do it one night," he said. "Now it's an addiction."