Penn State 'Survivor' update: Sharp-shooting, strategizing keep Rosenberger on target

Photo: CBS Ian Rosenberger

University Park, Pa. -- In the 12th episode of "Survivor: Palau," Penn Stater Ian Rosenberger found that doing some precision sharp-shooting and flexing his Penn State-trained mental muscle was a recipe for success. With dissension among alliances, a focused and determined Rosenberger clenched immunity and hatched a plot to foil his competitors' plans for dominance.

Having surviving by the skin of her teeth during episode 11, Caryn Groedel was "more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs" at the start of the new episode. Groedel sensed that she was the most vulnerable tribemate, but the events of the reward challenge revealed that hers was not the only neck on the chopping block.

The reward challenge promised a cruise on a luxury yacht for the person who proved most adept at correctly answering trivia about Palau and Micronesia. Each correct answer bought tribemates the chance to knock their competitors out of the running for a day of feasting and luxuriating on the yacht. In a move that shocked Rosenberger, his trusted comrade Katie Gallagher knocked him out of the game while preserving Gregg Carey's chance of winning the reward. In the end, Carey claimed the yacht excursion and selected Jennifer Lyon and Gallagher to accompany him.

The yachting party was overcome with emotion to find loved ones had joined them for their cruise, while, back at camp, Rosenberger and ally Tom Weston discussed what "Shady Lady Katie" was up to at the reward challenge. Citing Carey's newfound sway over Lyon and Gallagher, Rosenberger and Weston decided Carey should be the next to go. The two men brought a relieved Groedel in on the plan and contemplated the fact that they would likely force a tie – with half of the votes going for Carey and half going for the yachters' choice. Forcing a tie meant that the otherwise-safe tribemates would be forced to draw rocks to determine who among them would go home. Rosenberger, Weston and Groedel resolved to accept that risk if Gallagher voted for someone other than Carey, but they hoped she would side with them instead of risking herself.

The yacht group did some strategizing of their own and decided to join forces against the Rosenberger-Weston alliance. Gallagher, who had been an integral part of that alliance, agreed to the plan. Thus, a fiercely divided Koror emerged in the aftermath of the reward challenge.

With renewed focus and determination, Rosenberger won the immunity challenge after being the first to complete a series of challenges from past episodes. Neck to neck with Weston in the final round of the challenge – shooting three targets with a mounted gun – Rosenberger's perfect aim earned him the immunity necklace.

Leading up to tribal council, Groedel's "award-winning" woe-is-me performance was enough to convince the yachting buddies that Groedel was still Rosenberger and Watson's choice. Just before heading off to tribal council, Rosenberger told Gallagher about the plan to force a tie if she didn't vote for Carey. A flabbergasted Gallagher was unsure how to react. But in the end, Rosenberger and Watson's strategy paid off, as Gallagher's vote for Carey extinguished his torch, making him the fourth member of the jury.

Tune in next week to see how Rosenberger and the rest of the competitors fare on "Survivor: Palau," scheduled to air at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 12, on CBS. Rosenberger, 23, a native of Ambridge, majored in agricultural extension and educational leadership at Penn State, and served as student government president.

To vote for Rosenberger as the favorite "Survivor," go to http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor10/vote/popularity.shtml

For Rosenberger's biography, go to http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor10/survivors/bio/ian.shtml