Madison, Wis. – The day has finally arrived; the World Frogleg Eating Championship debuts tonight at the Duck Pond, with 10 contestants vying for the coveted top prize. The contest will take place after the Mallards game versus the Green Bay Bullfrogs and monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three eaters. Ian “The Invader” Hickman (pictured), featured on MTV’s True Life series, headlines the event. Confirmed professional eaters are listed below.

Ian “The Invader” Hickman

Currently ranked among the best Eaters in America by the Association of Independent Competitive Eaters, “The Invader” is a 2005 graduate from the University of Kentucky, and now makes his home in Sterling Virginia. Ian is the current National Spoon Bread, World Fried Zucchini, National Potato Latke, Woopie Pie & World Elvis Sandwich and Southern States Beef Patty Eating Champion. Also, Ian is the current Record Holder for the Denny’s 5lb Hamburger which he devoured in 13 minutes and 45 seconds. Known by family and friends as “The Bottomless Pit,” a name and reputation he has earned early in childhood and continues until this day. While attending the University of Kentucky, Ian would invade buffets and other eateries and soon developed the reputation as the “Invader” and became an unwanted guest at several buffets and steak houses in and around the Lexington Kentucky area. Despite Ian’s southern charm and manners local food establishments signed a petition requesting that the “Invader” be banned from their eating establishments. Although single, when asked who his dream-girl is he simply responds; “not sure….but it would be great if she was a waitress…

David “Coondog” O’Karma

A veteran of Competitive Eating who has been competing since age 16, Coondog’s approach to Competitive Eating is pure excitement. Coondog is arguably Competitive Eating’s most dramatic personality. Not only is Dave one of America’s fastest speed eaters, he has defeated many of Americas elite Eaters such as the great Ed Cookie Jarvis, Badlands Booker, Don “Moses” Lehrman and Chowhound Chapman. Coondog known to wear many hats is also known as a fantastic Master of Ceremonies and an outstanding spokesperson for the sport of Competitive Eating. Known in some circles as “Papa-Cheese” Dave is the world record holder in donuts where he consumed an amazing 13 donuts in one minute on the Steve Harvey Show. Also, Coondog is the current World Record Holder in Corn-on-the-Cob with an amazing (4.9 lbs) in only ten Minutes at the Ortonville National corn-on-the-cob Eating Championship. Coondog nearly defeated the Great Kobayashi in a Pizza Eating Exhibition in July of 2005 losing to the “Great One” by only one-second. (Dave is also a good friend of Kobayashi and has corresponded with him since Kobi’s first amazing feat in Coney Island.)

Mark “The Human Vacuum” Lyle

The Vacuum is a top echelon Food Warrior and is ranked among Americas finest by the Association of Independent Competitive Eaters. In March of 2005 “The Vacuum” crashed on the scene by winning the “War of the Wings Chicken Wing Eating Championship” in Coshocton Ohio where he decisively defeated a large field of top eaters. In addition, Mark has won the Great American Chicken Wing Eating Championship and took a close second the next day while competing in the World Corn On The Cob Eating Championship. Few eaters in the world can match “The Vacuum” when it comes to Speed Eating. “The Human Vacuum” is the current World Record Holder and Chili Eating Champion and has established a new standard by devouring an amazing 8.3 lb. of Chili in only five minutes! 2006 was a fantastic year for the “the Vacuum” as he captured the National County Fair Foods Eating Championship, American Meatball Eating Championship along with the World Rib Eating Championship.

“Gentleman” Joe Menchetti

This Food Warrior is considered among the best Competitive Eaters in the World. He is currently ranked as a four star Eater by the Association of Independent competitive Eaters. Gentleman Joe is considered New England’s most decorated Food Warrior. His Eating Resume includes world records in Beef Patties, Sweet Corn, Fried Cicada’s, Conch Fritters and Pumpkin Pie. You may have seen him in the Glutton Bowl or on Ripley’s Believe it or Not where he consumed an amazing 41 Hot Dogs in just 10 minutes. His quest for eating Stardom began as early as the 5th grade when he ate what other kids didn’t like. On one occasion he ate 16 servings of Baked beans and on another occasion he ate 12 servings of Green Bean Salad. When he is not Eating for prize money or emptying out his friend’s refrigerators he works as a Corporate Spokesperson and Ticket Broker. He is 6″2″ 300lbs and hails from Wallingford CT.

Other contestants include:

John “Make it Rain” Schmeltzer, Mallards Group Sales & Operations Manager

Jeff Royale, Green Bay Bullfrogs Owner

Dave Schultz, Mallards Assistant Coach

This is an event you won’t want to miss!

Tonight is also Schoeps Ice Cream Mallards Mini Batting Helmet Night! (first 1,000 kids 14 and under)

Great seats are still available for tonight’s game and can be purchased and printed by visiting Mallardsbaseball.com or by calling 246.4277.