I love my job. During my first year as Sports Editor, I’ve had numerous experiences I never thought I’d have. I’ve went to a San Jose Sharks game—and was 5 feet from Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane—went behind the scenes at AT&T Park and oh yeah, I went toe-to-toe with a former Garlic Queen during the 36th annual Gilroy Garlic Festival.
I’m not going to lie, I was nervous.
When I asked to partake in the “Beat the Queen” contest, I wasn’t sure exactly what I was getting myself into, but I love a challenge.
I was introduced to my competition, 2009 Garlic Queen Jessica Foley, and I was given a briefing on my challenges: test of stomach, test of strength—worth one point each—and test of flame which was worth three points.
All right, I can do this.
Foley had the advantage of having the current Garlic Queen, Brittney Souza, and her court to cheer her on. OK, so I was outnumbered; I wouldn’t let that stop me. The panic bells sounded however when I saw what we would be eating: a great big serving of garlic ice cream—the exact opposite of what I’d hoped for.
The race was on to see who could scarf down the concoction the quickest and, not to toot my own horn, but I gave Foley a run for her money. Unfortunately for me, the former queen is a garlic ice cream eatin’ machine. But in a competition with free ice cream, there’s no real losers.
Foley 1, Redmond 0.
Next up was the rock climbing wall—a short girl’s worse nemesis. I got my butt handed to me here, I’ll freely admit it. Foley did say that she had the upper hand when it came to height, but I was taking notes. She did it barefooted and opted for the farside of the wall, so it looks like I have a strategy to try out for next time.
I was down, but not out.
Trailing 2-0, we still had the most important event left: the flame-up challenge. The winner of this portion would be awarded three points, so I had to bring my A-game.
Once again Foley had the upper hand, having done a flame-up before—unlike this rookie. But I was determined to make the Gilroy Dispatch and sports editors everywhere proud—and I’d risk my eyebrows to do it.
It’s hard to judge who’s flame-up was better when you’re trying to avoid getting engulfed in fire, so I wasn’t sure how I did. According to the crowd, Foley’s flame-up was better. I have a video that shows my flame was taller, but I’ve never been a sore loser so why start now? I know when I’ve been bested.
Foley schooled me with a 5-0 sweep, keeping the queens’ record untarnished.
“I felt a lot of pressure from past queens and my family and friends,” she said. “I feel awesome that I was able to hold up the legacy.”
I’ve got one “Beat the Queen” competition under my belt and I promise that it won’t be my last. As the Chicago Cubs often say, “There’s always next year.”
Future queens, beware.
