Everyone in the Philadelphia area knows that Wing Bowl takes place on the Friday before Super Bowl Sunday. However, not everyone knows about the other Wing Bowl that takes place at Haverford High School. As the spectators arrived home from Wing Bowl in South Philly, the second Wing Bowl was just beginning in the high school’s auditorium.

Wing Bowl is an eating competition similar to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest but with wings instead of hot dogs. Since 1993, Wing Bowl has been a fan favorite in South Philly. It is also a favorite among students and teachers at Haverford since it began in 2007.

Teachers and students compete against each other in a fundraiser for Best Buddies, an organization that helps build friendships and create opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Students at Haverford volunteer to be a part of Best Buddies and truly make more than friends but ‘buddies.’ All proceeds from the Wing Bowl ticket sales go to Best Buddies and the contestants also raise money during student lunches in the weeks leading up to the event.

The ‘student wingers’ that participated, with their nicknames, were: Joe ‘Hot Winga’ Nassar, Mitchell ‘The Lord of the Wings’ Estes, Sid ‘Griffindor’ Griffin, Austin ‘Wingdalf the Yay’ Yayer, and Will ‘Willy Winga’ Bistline.

The ‘teacher wingers’ consisted of: ‘Wingbone’ Mr. Bilotti, ‘Lady Chaga’ Ms.Chaga, ‘The Wing King’ Mr. Smith, ‘Withering Wings’ Mr. Withers, and ‘Wingdiana Jones’ Mr. Perez.

Before the competition, most of the contestants said that they were just going to have some fun and not take the eating too seriously. “I’m just going to wing it,” said senior Austin Yayer with no pun intended. Others said that they joined the competition for a different reason. “It’s a great cause. I’m doing it for Best Buddies,” said teacher Mr. Withers.

The standing room only packed auditorium cheered on the contestants as they were introduced. After being introduced, the contestants walked down the auditorium isles with their own entourage and theme song. Many stuck with the theme that matched their nicknames with Mr. Perez dressing up like Indiana Jones and Will Bistline acting as Willy Wonka with Oompa Loompas as his entourage.

As for the rules, the competition consists of three rounds. The first round is the student round where all five students eat as many wings as possible. The student with the most wings eaten in the 10 minute time frame advances to the final round. The second round is the same as the first round but with the five teacher competitors. After the first two rounds are over, the winner of the student and teacher rounds face off in a 3 minute wing off. Just like the first two rounds, the contestant with the most wings cleaned off the bone wins. Finally, just like all professional eating competitions, “If you heave, you leave!”

The final round was a throwdown between history teacher Mr. Smith and student Mitchell Estes who both won their rounds respectively. Mr. Smith, who is a 3-time champion, blew the other teachers away by eating 27 wings while Estes devoured 31 wings, barely beating out Austin Yayer who ate 28. In the long three minute final round, Estes eked out a close victory by consuming 13 wings, one more than the favorite Mr. Smith. As the winner, Estes was awarded with a trophy and 100 dollar cash prize which he generously donated to the Best Buddies.

As the students made their way to the exits, Estes celebrated with his entourage and cheering section, who held up giant cut-outs of Estes’ head throughout the competition. Although Smith and Estes were competing against each other in the Wing Bowl, they work together in the classroom, as Smith is Estes’ history teacher. Estes, still excited over his victory said, “I love the bragging rights and I plan to be back next year to defend my title.”

Along with the faculty and student body, Estes’ parents, Leo and Meghan, were also in attendance. When Mrs. Estes was asked if she was proud of her son for coming away with first place, she responded with a smile, “I’m always proud of my son.”

Wings were generously donated by Hoopty’s Pizza & Pasta.

[slideshow_deploy id=’1457′]