The pre-eminent reality show “Survivor” takes pride in marooning its 16 castaways in exotic locations. But for its 11th season there will be an undeniably Midwestern feel to the TV series.

That’s because two of the contestants competing for the $1 million prize are Kansas residents.

Danielle Boatwright, 30, a model and sports radio talk show host, hails from Tonganoxie. Brandon Bellinger, 22, works as a farmhand just outside of his native Manhattan.

To make matters even more compelling for area viewers, Boatwright is a former Kansas University student and lifelong Jayhawk fan, and Bellinger is a rabid Wildcat supporter.

The debut episode, which airs at 7 p.m. today on Sunflower Broadband Channels 5 and 13, will find the Kansans paired together on the Nakum tribe, where they will be given the opportunity to “outwit, outplay and outlast.”

The two would probably love to discuss their roots and rivalry, but fans will have to wait until after the Dec. 18 finale to hear directly from them. They are forbidden by CBS from talking to the media, having signed a $10 million confidentiality agreement to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Fortunately, the gag order does not apply to their families.

“Danielle is what you call a velvet steamroller,” says Vickie Cackler, Boatwright’s mother. “She’ll smile the whole time and make you feel good, then she’ll just roll right over the situation.”

Cackler, who like her daughter lives in Tonganoxie and works in Kansas City, says Boatwright first caught the attention of CBS producers with a videotape submission.

“It included pictures of her at home with her dogs, talking about her rural roots – how she was basically a country girl at heart,” Cackler explains. “And also promoting the fact that she was extremely athletic and interested in sports, and did a sports talk show at 610 AM in Kansas City.”

“Sports Wrap” airs Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon, but Boatwright won’t return to the air until “Survivor” concludes.

Students of “Survivor”

Both mother and daughter are avid “Survivor” watchers. Cackler says Boatwright’s favorite former player was Stephenie LaGrossa from last season’s “Survivor: Palau.”

“Emotionally, she’s tougher than Stephenie,” Cackler claims. “She’s extremely physical. She runs marathons and everything. Have you seen her pictures? Those abs aren’t a mistake.”

Despite her sporting zeal, CBS wouldn’t allow Boatwright to display her KU colors.

“That would have been the first thing she would have done was bring Jayhawk stuff with her,” Cackler says. “She’s a huge Jayhawk fan.”

However, she was permitted to wear a hat that says “KC” after she was told to remove the markings from it that identified it as Kansas City Chiefs apparel.

Sunflower State rivalry?

As for whether the Wildcat/Jayhawk rivalry between Boatwright and Bellinger made it onto the show, Cackler can only speculate.

“I think it would probably have to,” she says. “But I do know she came home and said (Bellinger) is one of the nicest young men she’s ever met.”

(Calls to the Bellinger family were not returned by deadline.)

Early opportunities

Boatwright attended KU for just her freshman year; then her college education was sidetracked when she was crowned Miss Kansas USA. That led her to the Miss USA pageant, where she was first runner-up.

“She had the opportunity to go to Italy, Spain, Tunisia, London and Australia for a whirlwind career in the modeling industry,” Cackler notes. “How could you pass it up? It was like going to the NBA early.”

Her mother says Boatwright has expressed interest in finishing her degree at KU.

“She’s already in Lawrence all the time. When you live in Tonganoxie, where do you go to the movies? Where do you go to eat?”

But plans may change if Boatwright manages to survive amid the jungles and Mayan ruins on the new season. Already Las Vegas sports books have listed both Boatwright and Bellinger as among the top three favorites to land the $1 million payday.

“She just loves to compete,” Cackler says of why her daughter wanted to be on “Survivor.” “And, of course, it doesn’t hurt that you win money with it.”