Winner launches melon seed 41 feet

By Ty Hagerott
thagerott@ndsuspectrum.com

Students gathered Friday, September 13 at Loftsgard Hall for the Third Annual Plant Science Watermelon Seed-Spitting Contest. 

The longest spat seed was by Derek Deutscher, junior in pharmacy, at 41 feet, breaking the SU record of 37 feet 4 inches. Deutscher spat short of the 68-foot world record, but set his name in the SU record book. The longest seed spit by a woman was 28 feet 1 inch by Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, assistant professor of plant science. 

The top three winners in each event received an award and a seedless Watermelon. The remaining top ten won a regular melon.

Before spitting, contestants had to fill out a form with four questions regarding watermelons. If at least one question was answered correctly, they qualified to spit.

Stine Melons, Sam’s Club, Sunmart and Hornbacher’s donated the melons used in the event. 

First place: Derek Deutscher, junior, pharmacy, 41 feet
Second place: Eric Dvorak, graduate student, plant sciences, 32 feet, 4 inches
Third place: Shannon Hanson, senior, pharmacy, 31 feet, 10 inches

First place: Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, assistant professor, plant sciences, 28 feet, 1 inches
Second place: Rachel Larsen, senior, horticulture, 24 feet, 11 inches
Third place: Lisa Dahl, junior, crop and weed science, 24 feet, 10 inches