Photo by Eric Keith / St. Joseph News-Press

Ethan Adkisson will compete to be a champion in his own right during halftime of the Champs Sports Bowl today in Orlando, Fla.

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Ethan Adkisson of St. Joseph will sit in the stands when Michigan State University squares off against Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl today in Orlando, Fla.

But Ethan won’t be there just to enjoy the game.

The 17-year-old Savannah High School junior, the son of Patti and Regan Adkisson, will attend the bowl for his own competition. He is one of four winners in the Champs Sports “Are You a Champs Sports Champion?” Contest. He’s already won a $10,000 scholarship in the contest, and today will have the chance to triple that amount.

“I can imagine walking out there (on the field) and tripping,” Ethan said, when asked what he’ll do if he wins.

Ethan entered the competition on a whim. His mother, who is a Champs Sports VIP Club member, received an e-mail about the contest, which asked entrants to submit a video telling why they are a champion on the field, in the classroom or in the community.

Ethan combined his love of soccer — he’s been playing since he was 5 — with his academic honors (National Honor Society, Missouri Scholars Academy attendee) and his community activities.

“It’s definitely a nice honor,” said Gabriella Citrin of Champs Sports.

Video submissions were uploaded to www.facebook.com (under Champs Sports), and Ms. Citrin said the contest was the most popular on the Web site. During the game today, the four winning videos will be shown, and a panel of judges will choose the $30,000 scholarship winner.

Although still in high school, Ethan said since the video made him a winner, it is something he may pursue in college.

“I want to go to a Christian school,” Ethan said.

But for now, the Champs champion will be sitting in the stands in Florida, waiting to see if he’ll take the field to accept the $30,000 Champs Sports scholarship.