In the following days, he interviewed Mr. Pallone, Representative Rush Holt and State Senator Nia Gill, who was considered a surprise contender.

In the last two years, Craig has gone from being a retired amateur fighter pressing pants for a dry cleaner to becoming a surprise contender in the Olympic welterweight division.

Like McGill, Waugh was a surprise contender seeking her first victory.

MacDonald, in particular, is a surprise contender for the managerial post.

The National League race also featured a surprise contender in Brooklyn, which rose from sixth place in 1923 to win 92 games in 1924.

Walsh emerged as a surprise contender for the vacant managerial position with the Cork senior hurling team and was duly appointed in March 2009.

Hopes weren't high, but a 6-2 start made the Lions a surprise contender at the midway point in the season.

The two surprise contenders, the Baltimore Orioles and the Montreal Expos, ranked 23d and 24th, respectively.

On an afternoon dominated by two surprise contenders, one slipped and the other surged.

Lowe, Washburn and Halladay are the surprise contenders.