Special for The State News

"Last Spartan Standing," based on the hit television show "Last Comic Standing," tested students' stand-up comedic skills Saturday night at the International Center.

Ten contestants, ranging from freshmen to seniors, competed for gift certificates from Best Buy, 2020 W. Grand River Ave.

The first place winner won a $75 certificate, second place was awarded a $50 certificate and third place received a $25 certificate.

A voting combination of the audience mixed with a panel of judges determined the winner.

One comedian battling for votes was journalism junior Tom Keller.

"Rappers can't just be by themselves anymore. They're always featuring someone else. Ja Rule featuring Ashanti or Fat Joe featuring someone else, before you know it everything else will do this, too. This morning, I grabbed some breakfast featuring Cap'n Crunch," Keller said.

"Last Comic Standing" finalist Dan Ahdoot helped judge the contestants performing for the about 600-member crowd.

"This has been a really great turnout," said Emily Money, merchandising management senior and University Activities Board officer.

Money said planning for the event required flexibility because of conflicting audition schedules. An event that would normally take a week to organize, took three times as long, she said.

"Auditions took place for the past three weeks in the UAB office. Some contestants couldn't come when they were scheduled so that's why they took so long," Money said.

Political science junior and "Last Spartan Standing" comedian Carol Bontekoe performed at the event with funny family tales.

"I wrote all my own material. Everything I said about my family was true," Bontekoe said. "If you grow up in a normal family, you can't be funny. It's that simple."

Audience members had mixed feelings about profanity and sexual humor used in the jokes, but psychology and sociology senior Katie Badder said she liked the comedy.

"Competition's been great so far," Badder said with a laugh.

Badder's boyfriend, psychology senior Aaron Hiner, won the event last year.

"Aaron's in it again this year. We'll see who wins this time," she said.

Nothing was safe on stage. Everything from breakfast cereal to music and exercise was targeted.

"I am one of the laziest people you'll ever meet," Bontekoe joked on stage. "I live on the third floor, but I take the elevator, and I won't walk up the stairs, but I'll sprint and dive to catch the elevator."

English senior Jesse Gibbings won. Telecommunication, information studies and media senior Owen Weber came in second and Keller came in third.