Frankie Smart arrived at Snapper's Sports Tavern in Auburn for the annual hot dog eating contest on Sunday wanting to stuff at least 12 hot dogs into his mouth.
Jennifer Meyers / The Citizen
Frank Smart, far right, looks over at competitor Matt Janusz while being cheered on by Michelle Namisniak during the annual hot dog eating contest to benefit Matthew House at Snapper's Sports Tavern Sunday in Auburn. Smart finished nine hot dogs and took first place.
Frank Smart, far right, looks over at competitor Matt Janusz while being cheered on by Michelle Namisniak during the annual hot dog eating contest to benefit Matthew House at Snapper's Sports Tavern Sunday in Auburn. Smart finished nine hot dogs and took first place.
“I wanted to eat at least one hot dog a minute,” said the 17-year-old from Port Byron. “But it didn't happen.”
Despite falling short of his goal, Smart was declared the victor of the third annual contest after eating nine full hot dogs in 12 minutes, beating out defending champion Moose Kmyta.
“He won last year and I wanted to beat him,” Smart said. “I heard that the record was six and I knew I could do better.”
He ate the hot dogs inside the bun, outside the bun, and even two at a time.
Smart was one of seven people to participate in the contest, a fundraiser for Matthew House, a residence for terminally ill people.
Organizer Neta Dodson decided to hold a hot dog eating contest after she and some friends caught the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on television.
“I thought, 'Wouldn't it be fun to do something like that here, and do it as a fundraiser for Matthew House because so many of us have had friends and family there?'” Dodson said.
Last year, the hot dog contest raised $1,000, including a $250 donation from the SK Post 1324, all of which was donated to the non-profit.
This year about $1,020 was raised, which included a $250 donation from the SK Post 1324 as well as a $100 donation from the Knights of Columbus.
Dave Sikora, 21, of Auburn, stuffed one hot dog into his mouth, ketchup dripping onto his left hand and down his gray shirt. For him, one was enough. Participating wasn't about the food, he said. It was about the cause.
“I'll donate money to Matthew House any day,” he said.
Sunday's contest saw the biggest crowd ever, Dodson said. Of the 180 hot dogs - 26 pounds - cooked, Dobson estimated 40 dogs remained.
Matt Janusz, 17, of Port Byron was the runner-up in the contest, scarfing down eight hot dogs.
“I like competitions. My dad said it would be good for charity,” he said. “And it's food. But mostly for charity.”
Kmyta's cheering section began “coaching” him minutes before taking his first chomp into a hot dog.
“Hey Moose, you got an empty belly?” cheered one onlooker from the gathering crowd.
Despite his best efforts, Kmyta was not able to reclaim his title as champion, eating only seven hot dogs.
“I gave it up to youth,” he said. “Age to youth.”
Even after the contest had ended, Kmyta was still stuffing hot dogs into his mouth.
“I'm okay. I'm still eating,” the Auburn man said with a chuckle, then taking a large bite into a hot dog. “I had seven during, and now three after. It's dessert.”
“Most people have cake and ice cream,” said Larry Saphara, of Auburn, who also served on Kmyta's cheering section. “Moose has hot dogs.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239
Despite falling short of his goal, Smart was declared the victor of the third annual contest after eating nine full hot dogs in 12 minutes, beating out defending champion Moose Kmyta.
“He won last year and I wanted to beat him,” Smart said. “I heard that the record was six and I knew I could do better.”
He ate the hot dogs inside the bun, outside the bun, and even two at a time.
Smart was one of seven people to participate in the contest, a fundraiser for Matthew House, a residence for terminally ill people.
Organizer Neta Dodson decided to hold a hot dog eating contest after she and some friends caught the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on television.
“I thought, 'Wouldn't it be fun to do something like that here, and do it as a fundraiser for Matthew House because so many of us have had friends and family there?'” Dodson said.
Last year, the hot dog contest raised $1,000, including a $250 donation from the SK Post 1324, all of which was donated to the non-profit.
This year about $1,020 was raised, which included a $250 donation from the SK Post 1324 as well as a $100 donation from the Knights of Columbus.
Dave Sikora, 21, of Auburn, stuffed one hot dog into his mouth, ketchup dripping onto his left hand and down his gray shirt. For him, one was enough. Participating wasn't about the food, he said. It was about the cause.
“I'll donate money to Matthew House any day,” he said.
Sunday's contest saw the biggest crowd ever, Dodson said. Of the 180 hot dogs - 26 pounds - cooked, Dobson estimated 40 dogs remained.
Matt Janusz, 17, of Port Byron was the runner-up in the contest, scarfing down eight hot dogs.
“I like competitions. My dad said it would be good for charity,” he said. “And it's food. But mostly for charity.”
Kmyta's cheering section began “coaching” him minutes before taking his first chomp into a hot dog.
“Hey Moose, you got an empty belly?” cheered one onlooker from the gathering crowd.
Despite his best efforts, Kmyta was not able to reclaim his title as champion, eating only seven hot dogs.
“I gave it up to youth,” he said. “Age to youth.”
Even after the contest had ended, Kmyta was still stuffing hot dogs into his mouth.
“I'm okay. I'm still eating,” the Auburn man said with a chuckle, then taking a large bite into a hot dog. “I had seven during, and now three after. It's dessert.”
“Most people have cake and ice cream,” said Larry Saphara, of Auburn, who also served on Kmyta's cheering section. “Moose has hot dogs.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239
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yoker wrote on Jul 16, 2007 2:12 PM: