Spotlights lit up the stage. Three tables were stacked with napkins and ice water. Cheers and screams filled up the room. The smell of chicken wings filled the air.

“Eat those wings, eat those wings,” shouted the crowd.

Last night, Kent State Relay For Life hosted Battle to the Bone, a wing-eating contest that raised funds for this year’s cause.

Andrea Hothem, senior architecture major, won the women’s event by eating 15 wings. Mathew McNeil, junior business management major, won the men’s competition after eating 23 wings.

More than 50 people attended the event, which Mugzees hosted and donated the wings for.

“We hosted a wing-eating contest last year and it was a huge success,” Mugzees’ owner Kurt Zitzner said. “We want to make sure Relay makes money.”

There were four finger-licking rounds that lasted 10 minutes each. There were two women’s rounds and two men’s rounds, and contestants had to eat as many wings as they could.

The wings were plain, but the contestants were supplied with hot and mild barbeque sauce to ease the experience.

Drew Golub, sophomore business management major, won the second men’s round by taking down 14 wings.

“I’m so full,” Golub said. “I did a pizza eating contest before and that was easier.”

The energetic crowd cheered on the contestants.

“Think Indians tickets,” one said.

“I wanna see someone throw up,” said another.

Winners received more than $50 in prizes, including tickets to an upcoming Indians game.

Relay For Life is scheduled from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday, behind the DeWeese Health Center.

Contact social services reporter Caroline Laska at [email protected].