BEMIDJI, Minn. (Dec. 10, 2009) — For the second time in as many years, a Bemidji State University student captured the overall championship at the Third Annual Great Northwoods Sales Warm-Up, hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Nov. 12-14.

The Warm-Up is a regional sales competition for Midwestern collegiate marketing students. Contestants deliver two 20-minute sales presentations, one for a product and one for a service, to an individual buyer. Sales calls are evaluated by a panel of professionals who view the presentations via streaming video at a remote location.

After the presentation, students receive their evaluations sheets, a CD of their presentations and a 30 minute debriefing session with one of the professionals who evaluated their performance.

Bemidji State captured the top two individual finishes at the competition. Amy Lytle, a senior in marketing communications from Bemidji, repeated as individual overall champion and captured a $1,500 cash prize. Robyn McBrady, a senior in business administration from Hewitt, Minn., was first runner up and won a $1,000 cash prize.

Tony Hietalati, a senior in business administration from Aitkin, Minn., finished 10th and won the $150 school champion prize, given to the top finisher on each competing team outside of the grand champion and first and second runners up.

Molly Krivarchka, a senior in marketing communication from Mayville, N.D., finished 14th.

“The success of the sales team is a team effort,” said Dave Heilig, assistant professor of business administration and the team’s coach. “Not just the four students who competed, but the others who are practicing for future competitions. They also do the research and practice with the team and work to bring the best out of everyone involved.

“The University as a whole can take credit for the team’s success,” Heilig added. “Our business department and every other group on campus can own a part of the compliments our students received before and after the competition. The team appreciates everyone’s support and looks forward to continuing to be a champion ambassador for the University.”

In total, 51 competitors representing 14 schools participated in the 2009 Warm-Up.

Bemidji State’s victory advances it to the national sales competition, scheduled for March 2010 in Atlanta. That event will be hosted by Kennesaw State University.

Bemidji State’s team is sponsored by The Real Mike McKinley, Federated Insurance Co., Fastenal, Edward Jones, Amden Corp. and the Department of Business Administration. Support is also provided by Joe and Dave Lueken and Lueken’s Village Foods.

Sponsors of the Great Northwoods Sales Warm-Up and job fair participants include Cintas, Hormel Foods, SuperValu, Aflac, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Huebsh Services, Huntsinger Companies, Larson Companies Hotel Group, Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Liberty Mutual, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network – Bohannon Group, Sun Life Financial, Tom James and Wells Fargo Financial.

For more information on Bemidji State’s sales team, contact Dave Heilig, assistant professor of business administration, at (218) 755-3715.