Life stays normal for reality contestant

By Dianna L. Cagle

Assistant Managing Editor

Caleb Courtney, right, of Boone and Lauren of Florida, made up the orange team on "Endurance: Fiji." Courtney said while he thought reality television might change his life, his schedule stays filled with the usual: sports, play practice, and church activities.

Photo snapshot of TV show

Discovery Kids Channel

When Caleb Courtney first appeared on "Endurance: Fiji," he thought the show might change his life.

"I have a couple of 9-year-old kids that think I'm the bomb," said Courtney, but other than that, life has continued as normal for the busy sophomore at Watauga High School in Boone.

Courtney, along with his orange teammate Lauren, was eliminated in February, coming in fourth in the competition.

"I was just thankful to be on the show," said Courtney. "'Endurance' is luck ... not really skill."

Calling Lauren a ring-leader, Courtney said, "She's a little bit feisty. I knew she would get things done."

Courtney said he and his teammate argued a lot, but "we always made up."

Courtney and his family - father, Scott; mother, Lisa; younger brothers, Casey, 13, and Colton, 9 - had to keep their "lips sealed about what they were doing," he said in an interview in October.

Scott Courtney, who is pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Boone, flew to Fiji with Caleb for the competition. The show, which is airing reruns on Discovery Kids, was filmed in October 2007 over a couple of weeks.

People from all over the United States were participants: Oregon, Florida, Texas, Minnesota, etc.

"I'm happy for the blue team," who won a trip to Australia, said Courtney. "They really did a good job all the way through."

Courtney said "Endurance," while it takes skill to win challenges, comes down to luck.

"When eliminated I wasn't really sad," said Courtney, who praised Fiji for its beauty.

A few of the teams - red, green and orange - had a reunion of sorts in March in Michigan.

"We talked about endurance but mainly had fun," said Courtney, who took his guitar. "We laughed a lot."

Since the show ended Courtney said there were only a couple of participants he hasn't talked to, but his busy life occupies most of his time.

Courtney's next theatrical production is May 14-16, and he continues to work out for the basketball and football teams. He also performs for his church's contemporary service.

"I'm getting a lot more comfortable in front of people," he said.