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SALISBURY, MD---Some 90 students from 44 colleges and universities in the U.S. and beyond recently competed in the inaugural National Shore Sales Challenge (NSSC), hosted virtually by Salisbury University’s Mid-Atlantic Sales and Marketing Institute.

Presented by Perdue Farms, the event was postponed from 2020 due to precautions against COVID-19.

Students competed in sales role play and speed selling challenges, pitching their products to judges representing the event’s sponsors and others.

Chandler Spiewak of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside was the overall champion in the role play category, winning $1,500. Angela Melee of the University of Central Florida placed second, earning $1,000

The third-place winner ($500) was Kyle Balasny of the University of Delaware, followed by Laura Rivero of the University of Central Florida in fourth ($300) and Melisa Sevilmis of the University of Texas at Dallas in fifth ($200).

Ty Lewis of St. Ambrose University was the overall champion in the speed selling category, earning $300. Rosemarie Burdeos of Ryerson University placed second, winning $200. Mele, the competition’s only dual-category winner, placed third, receiving a $100 prize.

“These winners represent the top students in the sales field,” said Dr. Amit Poddar, MASMI director. “Beyond the financial awards, their success at the NSSC allowed them to showcase their talents to a national audience. During the event, they were able to network with potential employers seeking the types of skills they demonstrated at this event.”

Coaches of the top-placing teams also were honored.

“In these competitions, students compete, win and get jobs, but in all this, one person many times is forgotten,” said Poddar. “We wanted to recognize the coaches who train the students year after year.”

Stefanie Mayfield-Garcia, coach of the University of Central Florida team, placed first in the Top Team category, winning $1,000. Dr. Karen Peesker, coach of the Ryerson University team, placed second ($500), and Dr. Howard Dover, coach of the University of Texas at Dallas team, placed third ($250).

Rounding out the top 10 teams were St. Ambrose University, SU, Texas A&M University, the University of Delaware, the University of New Hampshire, the University of North Georgia, the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

The second National Shore Sales Challenge is scheduled March 31-April 2, 2022. Organizers hope to hold the event in person at SU.

Perdue Farms served as the inaugural competition’s executive sponsor. Choptank Transport of Preston, MD, was the platinum sponsor Salesforce.com was the gold sponsor. Silver sponsors included APPI Energy, Breakthru Beverage Group, Comcast, Cvent, Enterprise Holdings, Freedom Mortgage, GIS Benefits, Orkin, Paycom, Sherwin-Williams, Stanley Black & Decker, Sunrun and Unum.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the NSSC webpage.