Grizzlies cheerleader wins rib-eating contest at Memphis in May News Sports Southern Miss Life Opinion Obituaries eNewspaper Legals Meet the Memphis Grizzlies cheerleader who smoked the rib-eating competition Jennifer Chandler Memphis Commercial Appeal View Comments When Lainey Abone stepped on the stage to compete in the Prairie Fresh Rib Rumble on May 13, she didn't appear to be much of a threat. This 5-foot, 5-inch Memphis Grizzlies cheerleader was dwarfed in comparison to the large fellas she sat between on the second night of the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Could she really eat more ribs than the other four competitors? Oh, yes, she could. This petite dancer shocked everyone (including herself) when she demolished the competition (and the ribs) by eating "2 pounds, 18 ounces" of ribs in 5 minutes. "It was completely unexpected, but so cool. It will definitely go down as one of the most memorable experiences of my life," Abone said. "I guess you should never underestimate the power of a woman, especially when she’s hungry." Abone had not intended to compete in a rib-eating contest that day. She was at Memphis in May to work a shift at the Grizzlies tent. Midafternoon, two men walked into the tent and said they were looking for one more competitor for that evening's contest. MEMPHIS IN MAY:Meet the winners of 2021 World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest FOR SUBSCRIBERS:Memphis in May: From a cracked bridge to COVID, a barbecue contest like no other | Beifuss "They said they were looking for someone different ... someone with energy," Abone said. "My friend kept nudging me and saying, 'Lainey, please do this!'" Abone said she was hungry and decided to give it a go. "I hadn't eaten that day and was starving," she said. "I just went for it and didn't look at anyone around me." She seemed as shocked as everyone when her name was announced as the winner. Memphis in May organizers said they randomly chose five people from the crowd to participate on both May 13 and 14. Each contestant had a pan of ribs cooked by Melissa Cookston with Memphis Barbecue Co. MEMPHIS BARBECUE:'It's ludicrous': Memphis in May BBQ teams slam study saying Bluff City isn't best in BBQ WCBCC 2021:Smokin' Booths: Here's a look at the Memphis in May Best Booth winners Each pan is pre-weighed and contestants have 5 minutes to eat as many ribs as they can. After the 5 minutes, the pan of ribs is weighed again. The person who eats the most Prairie Fresh ribs during the contest is declared the Rib Rumble winner. Abone and Nate Russell, May 14's winner who was visiting from Virginia, went on to compete against the 2019 winner Tony Gibbs from Jackson, Mississippi, on May 15. Russell won the final round. Abone said she would definitely participate in an eating competition again. "My friends kept asking, 'Where did you put it all?'" she said. "I think my win helps break the stigma of someone petite or on a dance team not being an eater." Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer. View Comments About Us Staff Directory Careers Accessibility Support Site Map Legals Our Ethical Principles Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info / Cookie Policy Contact Us Support Local Businesses Advertise Your Business Advertising Terms and Conditions Buy and Sell Licensing & Reprints Help Center Subscriber Guide My Account Give Feedback Subscribe Today Newsletters Mobile Apps Facebook Twitter E-Edition Storytellers Archives RSS Feeds Jobs Cars Homes Classifieds Education Reviewed 10Best Reach Local USA TODAY Sports+ © 2022 www.hattiesburgamerican.com. 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