The Irish Mafia –a father/son team of avid Red Wavers, John & Timothy O’Rourke from Fresno (seen with Kiss Country’s host Gnarley Charley) – won the first Fresno State Hot Dog Eating Contest at the University’s Annual Farm Festival at the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market, on Saturday, July 11th.
KMJ’s Liz Kern: “So how did you prep for this?
John O’Rourke: “You know we’re big fans of Fresno State, we’re avid Red Wavers and we followed the Tim DeRuyter strength and conditioning program.”
Liz: you’re kidding me aren’t you?
John: Absolutely!”
About 350 visitors saw the O’Rourkes beat out six other two-person teams by eating 5 and-a-half “Bulldogs” all beef hot dog links smoked and cooked by animal science students in the Fresno State Meats Lab.
The links are approximately 7-8 inches long and weigh about a fifth of a pound each.
“Yeah, well fortunately I brought in my son, he really carried the team.” – John O’Rourke
John O’Rourke is the co-owner of RJO Produce in Fresno, is a 1993 Fresno State grad with a BS in Ag Business.
In addition to a first place medal, the Irish Mafia won two Gibson Farm Market gift baskets, a Maya Cinema gift basket and a succulent plant each. The contest was emceed by Gnarly Charley of KISS Country 93.7 FM.
Second place went to the Maya Munchies team of Larry Porricelli, vice president of neighboring Maya Cinemas, and Marcos Cotton.
Third place went to the Ragin Cajuns team of Joseph Rodrigues and Myles Scott.
Gibson Farm Market Hot Dog Eating Contest 2015
CHAMPS – Irish Mafia: John and Timothy O’Rourke
2nd – Maya Munchies: Larry Porricelli and Marcus Cotton
3rd – The Ragin Cajuns: Joseph Rodrigues and Myles Scott
Las Tortugas: Andrew Crookshanks and Johnny Kitong
Corn Doggers: Riley Fielder and Tate Sandborg
Team Cream: Janae Azevedo and Marcos
Team Weiner: Melissa Jacobs and Alec Le May
