Bryan Jackson takes homes first place in Last Laker Standing competition

Mary Mattingly

On Saturday, the final round of Grand Valley State University’s Last Laker Standing competition, sponsored by Spotlight Productions, took place. The final installment of the stand-up comedy contest featured five finalists, selected by votes from audience members and a panel of judges in previous rounds. The finalists featured were René Rodriguez, Jarrett Weber, Luis Valencia, Bryan Jackson and Lawrence Ensminger.

“I thought that the competition was awesome,” Jarrett Weber said after the show. “All of those guys were great. I’ve worked with Luis (Valencia) from the (Stand Up Comedy Club) and he’s extremely talented. They all had a great sense of humor.”

The final round was hosted by Nashville-based comedian, Chris Killian, who entertained audiences while accompanied by his guitar. Following Killian’s opening set, the competition then featured each finalist’s ten minute set. Winners for this round were once more chosen based upon a combination of votes from the audience and the judging panel’s discretion. In the end, it was Bryan Jackson who ended up taking home first place. He will also open for the comedian that Spotlight Productions brings in at the beginning of Fall semester 2014. Runners -up were Jarrett Weber in second place and Luis Valencia in third. $1,000 was split between the three as a prize for placing in the competition.

“I think the audience and the judges were right,” Weber said after the competition. “I wish I would have won, but it gives me something to work for now. I still think I got a better prize than first place. Sorry, Bryan.”