On the bodybuilding side of things, the lineups included several Olympia athletes, and some that hadn't recently competed. Skye Ryland, Tazzie Colomb, Kim Harris, Lesa Lewis and Cathy Priest were all part of the latter and provided for some stiff competition.

The lightweight was the bigger of the two classes, with eight competitors taking the stage (Jennifer McVicar was listed in the program, but did not compete). In the heavies, there were only five competitors, since Vickie Gates had to widthdraw due to injury.

Priest came in very tight, with incredible conditioning and pushed Valentina Chepiga for the class title. But it was Chepiga's balanced package and symmetrical and aesthetic lines that proved to be the best in class. Fanny Barrios, coming off her strong showing the the O, took third. Rose Jennings came in very improved, with some of the most impressive triceps on the stage. Coming into her own as a pro, Jennings should continue to press the top lightweights in the pros.

Yaz Boyum and Kim Harris both looked good as well. Harris is filling out her frame more, and with her strong stage presence, has a positive future, but may not quite have the structure to vy for a class win. Boyum, who competes infrequently, looked a bit distracted on stage, and didn't seem to be as focused as usual. Gayle Moher sported what appeared to be larger implants, which were almost distracting, but was not hard enough, as was the case for Skye Ryland, as the two rounded out the lightweights.

In the heavies, with Vickie Gates out, that left a big battle between Iris Kyle and Yaxeni Oriquen. But first the third place spot was up for grabs with Tazzie Colomb being pushed by Beth Roberts. Colomb's muscularity overpowered Roberts' more balanced package. Lewis was not in top shape, and even during her routine, didn't seem to be as 'on' as she usually is on stage, but again, this may have been due to the overall post-Olympia hangover atmosphere at the show.

For the overall, it was Oriquen who edged out Chepiga, but either would have been a worthy champion.

For the Fitness championship, it was a trio of familiar faces going for the top spot, and a trio of Jennys in the top five.

The two non-Jennys though were the top two, with Kelly Ryan taking the title, followed by Adela Friedmansky. Buoyed by the strength of her routine, Ryan pushed to the title. Although she has continued to perform the same routine during most of the 2002 competition season, things paid off again for Ryan as she overcame a slow start to edge out Freidmansky.

Jenny Worth looked disappointed again as she took third, while the ever-gracious Jenny Hendershott placed fourth. Hendershott looked hard and defined (a little moreso than at the Olmypia), while Worth, Freidmansky and Ryan held their conditions from the Olympia.

Jenny Lynn continued to improve, and her strong physique pulled her into the top five. With an impressive back, and nice lines, Lynn needs just to continue improving her routine, to stay in the top five.

Others who's stock keeps rising include Canadian Christine Bergeron, Shannon Meteraud and Tanji Johnson. All three are getting comparisons with the top placers, and when they are on, and hit their diets just right, are a threat to place in the top three.

Beth Horn again presented a creative routine, with some signature moves while Alti Bautista needs to improve her own routines to place higher. Her physique is solid, so with enough work on her routine, Bautista should crack the top half of the placings.

Julie Shipley-Childs and Natalie Carrol, both fairly new pros, still need a bit more time to cultivate their pro physiques, and coming in harder and more lean would benenfit both. Julie Palmer, Laurie Vaniman and Lisa Reed were competitive, but with the high caliber of the competition, ended up placing in the lower half lof the rankings.

The second annual Show of Strength should be an interesting show to keep an eye on. With such a professionally presented competition (note that the competitors were paid their per diems and given their live prize checks right after the competition instead of weeks or even months later), it would be a shame if the contest did not continue to grow and develop.

As Jen Hendershott said herself, "The GNC show in New Orleans was awesome. The show, the organization, the entire event was impressive. I am not sure that it was what everyone expected, but I think everyone will definitely be there again next year and then some. I encourage all fans of bodybuilding and fitness to mark their calendars for next years show. It was a great way to end the long competitive year for me and I felt the professionalism of the entire event was a #1 class act. Can't wait till 2003."

A ringing endorsement from one of the most dynamic and entertaining performers in fitness and a definite reason to return!