Broadcaster AJ McCord and high school student Braden Bollman emerged as champions in the second annual Sammie’s Pub and Lotto Bracket Challenge on kerryeggers.com.

McCord won in the “Pros” division and Bollman ruled the “Joes” group in picking games in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

McCord had never before won with her picks in any March Madness contest. She was abroad reporting and hosting for the World Surf League when she made her picks.

“I’m pretty stoked about it,” says McCord, the former sportscaster for KOIN-TV now living in Tucson, Ariz. “Not bad for being sleep deprived and time zone-confused while making my picks in a hotel in Portugal.”

McCord, who has done studio work for college football and basketball and reporting for Pac-12 Network and was host for the weekly “Talking Beavers” studio show on Root last fall, has also started doing play-by-play for the Association of Professional Pickleball.

“It’s been a blast,” says McCord, who is an avid surfer and a San Diego native. “I’m getting to do so many things I’m passionate about.”

McCord attended Point Loma Nazarene, an NAIA affiliate when she was there but now NCAA Division III. She has adopted San Diego State — which reached the NCAA finals — for her team in D-1 ball.

“Wish I’d had more faith in my Aztecs in my bracket,” she says. “My parents both went there, and I covered them a lot while working in college.”

Since she is no longer living in Oregon, McCord has abdicated her Sammie’s Pub and Lotto gift certificate to Pros runner-up Orlando Sanchez of KGW-TV.

Bollman is a senior at Dallas High. He said he entered five ESPN-based NCAA Tournament contests, including the one offered via kerryeggers.com.

“It’s kind of surprising I ended up winning,” says Bollman, 18. “This March Madness was crazy overall. I picked Alabama to win, so I missed there. I was just glad I was able to win and have some fun doing it.”

Bollman, a big sports fan who regularly watches March Madness and his local basketball teams, plans to attend college.

“Not sure where I’m going or what I’ll study, but the plan is to go to college,” he says.

Newberg’s Steve Paulson finished second in the Joe’s division. Alex Morris was third, Steve Seidler fourth and Tom McLaughlin fifth. All will receive an autographed copy of “Wherever You May Be …. Now: The Bill Schonely Story.”

► ◄

Readers: what are your thoughts? I would love to hear them in the comments below. On the comments entry screen, only your name is required, your email address and website are optional, and may be left blank.

Follow me on Twitter.

Like me on Facebook.

Find me on Instagram.

Be sure to sign up for my emails.