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Show Monday, April 5, 2010 Page 5 AggieLife Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.aggietownsquare.com BILL SPROAT AND TYLER TOLSON, above left, pose next to the 30-inch pizza at Fox's Pizza Den. Top right and bottom right, the duo begins the challenge of eating 10 pounds of pizza and cannot use the restroom or throw up. PATRICK ODEN photos Wild Bill and the Pres. battle Goliath By BENJAMIN WOOD assistant features editor Associated Students of USU President Tyler Tolson and "Wild" Bill Sproat met at Fox's Pizza Den for a challenge of appetite — two eaters, one hour, no breaks and 10 pounds of pizza. At 7:11 p.m. Thursday, with just more than 10 minutes remaining and approximately half of the pizza eaten, a garbage can was provided — double bagged — to Sproat in which he promptly regurgitated, disqualifying the duo and sending the crowd of more than 20 spectators scattering from the scene. Thurday's event, sponsored by The Utah Statesman, was part of an ongoing promotion at Fox's that pits people against their stomachs and is a part of the national Fox's Pizza Den chain. Ben Huebner, owner of Fox's in Logan, said that to his knowledge only two teams in the country have ever been successful, one of which occurred February in Logan. The challenge is open to any team of two people. "If they can eat 10 pounds without using the restroom, throwing up or anything like that, the pizza is free and we will give each contestant a free large pizza each week for an entire year," Huebner said. The challenge pizza, referred to on the menu as "'The Big One," is a 30-inch, 52-slice pizza that costs $34.99 for cheese and $5 for each additional topping. Fox's, located at 545 E. 1400 North, opened in November and co-owner Candace Huebner said within that time about 20 groups have attempted the challenge. The lone successful team, consisting of Tremayne Spackman and Travis Axtell, completed their one-topping mushroom pizza in a flat 39 minutes and both winners picked up their free weekly pizza during Tolson's and Sproat's challenge. Axtell's successful completion was his second attempt, having tried his hand at "The Big One" fewer than two weeks before. His first teammate, Axtell said, didn't show the proper focus. "He didn't have his A-game on," Axtell said. "I ate over half and he only ate about a quarter." Returning for round two with Spackman, the two didn't waste any time. "For me it wasn't hard, but for Travis it was his second pizza in a week and a half," Spackman said. "I don't get nauseated very easily, but I was on the verge." While he may have felt somewhat sick, Spackman said he felt good enough after "The Big One" to stop off for a Casper's malt on his way home. Beginning around 5:15 p.m., the Fox's staff began rolling out the five-pound dough — the rough equivalent of four large pizzas — for Tolson and Sproat. Huebner began shaping the crust and spreading the 32 ounces of tomato together. sauce as Tolson arrived, looking calm and colAt 6:23, after the pizza had cooled, Tolson lected in a sport coat and white-collared shirt. received a kiss for good luck, the pizza was cut Tolson said he researched eating competiinto eight equal wedges and the eating began. tions, looking for pointers. He said his prepaFor 48 minutes the crowd watched as the two ration consisted of eating a Fox's medium contestants alternated between flavors, foldpizza on Tuesday to "get a taste for the pizza." ing and stacking wedges and occasionally For Wednesday's lunch, Tolson said he had dipping them in water while the time ticked four heads of lettuce and a large cup of ice by and the pizza slowly diminished in size. cream at the Aggie Marketplace. Later that Sproat ate quickly, opting to pause for a period day, he stopped by the Golden Corral to dine before sprinting to the finish. Tolson, on the on five pounds of steamed cabbage. other hand, kept a slow steady pace through"I took their whole dish," Tolson said. By out the challenge but struggled to complete the end of that cabbage, I was putting Al on it. his portion of barbecue chicken. It's all I had." Spectators offered their encouragement, Sproat arrived just as the last toppings were often asking the two men about the taste. being placed on the pizza. The contestants "Let's not talk about food," Tolson said with chose barbecue chicken, fresh tomatoes, his mouthful. "Let's talk about other things." onions and green Huebner said teams peppers, with each typically reach a cerView the amusing video pizza quarter contain point where they taining one topping. can't take another of Bill and Tyler trying to Sproat particibite. win free pizzas every week pated in his custom"Their eyes turn for a year. Find the video ary "Wild" style red, they get blood— shirtless, "I love shot and they just hit at www.youtube.com/user/ mommy" bib and a wall," Huebner said. TheUtahStatesman. Link it chef's hat. Sproat "About 45 minutes in, to your Facebook page and appeared confident, barn!" but expressed some Axtell, who stayed share it with your friends. concern about his to watch the chalteammate. lenge, described the "I'm doing it with feeling of eating the a little guy," Sproat said. large quantity. At 6:05 p.m. the pizza was baked and ready. "It's like a pizza hangover," Axtell said. By that time a rather sizeable crowd — includNearing the end of their time, Sproat said ing members of the Aggie men's basketball he was feeling sick, and a garbage can was team, the Aggie Spirit Squad and Big Blue requested as a precaution. Within moments he — had gathered around the two eaters and had thrown up, disqualifying the contestants filled the tables throughout the store. Both and ending the challenge. contestants sat in somber anticipation, and "I'm sorry," Sproat said, pale-faced and nose Tolson eyeballed the pizza, rubbing his hands bleeding, "I feel great now." TYLER TOLSON, BOTTOM LEFT, continues shoving slices of the 30-inch pizza into his mouth. Beaten by the pizza, Bill Sproat, bottom middle, begins to slow down eating. PATRICK ODEN photos |