81.   Both boys, Dereck Farney and Michael Ardison, were members of the Beaver River cross country team, a perennial state championship contender.

82.   Croce turned the franchise from laughingstock into a championship contender in less than five years.

83.   For Burton, a championship contender each of the past four seasons, it was easily the best finish of the season.

84.   Jackson lauded the Nets organization for turning the team from a perennial loser into a championship contender overnight.

85.   Martin, considered a championship contender before the season, has been awful this year.

86.   Martin, considered a championship contender before the season, has been awful.

87.   New Zealand is considered a World Cup championship contender likely to advance undefeated through the first round.

88.   Realizing that his window of opportunity grew smaller with every playoff exit, Bourque asked that he be traded to a championship contender.

89.   The highly energetic showdown was seen by the Bucks as a chance to further legitimize themselves as championship contenders.

90.   The Nuggets looked like championship contenders in the first half.