Dogged Determination Really Helps in the World of Competitive Eating

USC has produced numerous champions, but the school came up a bit short in the sport of frankfurter consumption. Senior Chris Coble finished third in a challenge round of the 2004 Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest, wolfing down 15 dogs (plus buns) in 12 minutes in Hollywood.

A hearty meal, to be sure, but one that fell short of Richard Lefevre’s intake of 25 dogs.

Runner-up, by the way, was Lefevre’s wife, Carlene, who put away 20.

Obviously this couple likes to dine out together.

But only Richard Lefevre advances to the championship round July 4 in Coney Island, N.Y.

Coble shouldn’t lose his appetite for the sport, though, said Richard Shea, president of the International Federation of Competitive Eating, which holds several tournaments around the world.

“It was a very solid performance,” Shea declared. Coble “has a great future in competitive eating.”

Dog days (cont.): Lefevre, the winner, ate his way to victory using a technique introduced by Japanese competitors: separating the dogs from the buns, then eating two dogs at a time, followed by two buns dunked in water.

(And no, he didn’t waste any time applying condiments.)

Lefevre is ranked fifth in the world in competitive eating and is a versatile performer.

“He ate a 76-ounce steak in 15 minutes in Long Island,” Shea said. “And he once ate six pounds of Spam in 12 minutes.” And he weighs 135 pounds.

Before meals.

Duh! Award: My colleague Pam Wilson came upon a food product that was “manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts/nuts” (see photo). A bag of peanuts, no less. (Peanut-eating, alas, is one sport where I believe I could be competitive.)

Anticipating a real panic? A worker at an area hospital forwarded a notice that had been sent to employees -- a notice that seemed routine until you got to the last sentence (see accompanying).

I beg your pardon! Bruno Vieri of Rancho Palos Verdes chanced upon a hospital in Reading, England, that could be accused of making a comment on the nature of pregnancies (see photo).

Such a deal: Elizabeth Johnston of Chatsworth spotted a business for sale in an undrained area of Woodland Hills (see accompanying).

Mondegreen of the day: Our latest misadventure with the English language comes from Susan Wallace of Bishop who wrote: “When I was a kid, I thought God’s obligation to America was to ‘stand beside her and guide her, with a light through the night from a bulb.’ ”

miscelLAny: Dave Estey of Venice couldn’t help but notice that a Westside meeting of Marijuana Anonymous was held at Stoner Park Recreation Center.

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Reach Steve Harvey at (800) LATIMES, Ext. 77083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by mail at L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012 or steve.harvey@latimes.com.