[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KgnMyuyQ_8&feature=related[/youtube]

Students from Granville took a little time out of the Memorial Day holiday to do some seriously unique volunteer work.

Known as the “Gallon Challenge” this bizarre test of man, or woman, pits the pit of the stomach against one gallon of milk.

The rules, and thus the trick of the feat, lies in keeping down an amount of milk that is at least double the capacity of the average human stomach.

Competitors have one hour to drink a gallon of milk. If they can perform this feat they are only half way home, as the second part of the challenge involves keeping that entire gallon of milk below decks for an additional hour.

Baker bucked the odds as spectators were united in their opinion no one attempting the challenge had a shot at seeing it through to the end. 

Techniques employed ranged from the drink it fast and suffer approach, while competitor Tyler Jones attempted to sweeten the deal with a name brand strawberry additive, but was likewise unsuccessful. Some used straws, others didn’t; some used glasses, others drank from the jug but one by one those who got close to the end point all came to the same conclusion.

While 20 students and one teacher took on the challenge only one, Neil Baker, was able to qualify for the hour wait by not only finishing with time to spare but successfully keep the gallon down down.

Several others, including the only female competitor, Chelsea Simpson, failed to qualify in this first ever event organized by senior Jamie Hicks. Simpson said she felt fine until the last few ounces of milk.

Track athlete Mike Fiacco said he couldn’t hold on to all of the milk he drank, but he went back and finished the last few ounces anyway.

Teacher Steve Palmer said he was happy to participate along with sons Karl and Nathaniel.

The oldest Palmer eventually succumbed to the pressures of one gallon of milk as did many of the other participants. Roughly half of those who participated in the challenge set their milk free to return to the wild.

Hicks said he heard about the challenge and began whipping up support for the effort at school. Monday more than 40 people gathered in Veterans Park to cheer on the group. Contests each paid about $2 to enter the challenge, not including the cost of a gallon of milk. The effort raised $52.50 for the Haynes House of Hope.

Contestants were James Hicks, Ian Bixby, Karl Palmer, Nathaniel Palmer, Coach Stephen Palmer, Sam McDermott, Tyler Jones, Michael Fiacco, Chelsea Simpson, Luke Hahn, Nick Liebeg, Jordan Penor, Joey Lea, Garrett Brown, Jacob Jones, Brenden Miller

Christian Carr, Hayden Miller, Ean Smith, and the Champion, Neil Baker.