Greensboro friends win $158,535 jackpot after buying $5 ticket together
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GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — Greensboro residents Mark Cockman, Jeffrey Jaeger and Gary Selders play the lottery together and won a $158,535 jackpot Wednesday, according to an NC Education Lottery news release.
“We all looked at one another thinking, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’” Cockman said.
Jaeger said he enjoys the group dynamic of playing the lottery.
“Playing with other people just makes it more fun,” Jaeger said. “It’s like camaraderie.”
The three friends met each other years ago at the Greensboro Elks Lodge on West Cornwallis Drive in Greensboro where they are all members. They were at the lodge when they bought the winning $5 20X The Cash ticket.
“We each put a little bit in,” Jaeger said. “I don’t think any of us believed it when we won.”
At the time of their purchase, the jackpot stood at $317,070. Since they bought a $5 ticket, they got 50% of the progressive jackpot.
They arrived Thursday to collect their prize.
Cockman and Selders each claimed $52,317. After required state and federal tax withholdings, they took home $37,407.
Jaeger claimed $53,902 and took home $38,540 after taxes.
They all plan to pay some bills with their winnings.
Watch lottery drawings on FOX8! Mega Millions airs at 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday. Powerball airs at 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The NC Lottery airs at 11:22 p.m. every night.
