2004 John Sherman Classic
by Gene
X Hwang - November 13, 2004
Houston,
TX,
USA - Texas has always been known for its independent spirit
and for going big in everything they do and this year they definitely
followed that with the biggest ever John Sherman Classic.
The
fact that the Nationals are just one week after probably helped especially
considering that it's just up the I-45 in Dallas. Of course that didn't
just mean there were athletes from Texas competing but from Arizona
and Louisiana as well as other areas.
Fitness
kicked things off (no pun intended) with four competitors in the three
classes but Carmen Chavez looked impressive with the tightest physique
of the bunch and a solid routine. Tiffany Henley took second to her
in the short class, while Christy Robertson won the medium class. The
tall class was won by Barb Guerra who might have been the most remarkable
competitor on stage (see sidebar).
Figure
has grown in Texas as it has everywhere else, and there were over 50
competitors in the various classes. Like in many shows, it's hard to
say exactly what the defining physique is for figure, and that was
the case once again in the various classes.
Some
notables included Valerie Burke
who placed only 4th in the A class, but was the Masters Champion.
Blanca
Coello looked solid too with nice lean conditioning and good shape
as well. In the B Class Laura Bailey won her class in her first show.
Dallas' Dara Trager may have had the best arms in the show and placed
5th in her first show too. Claudine Null (pictured at right) was extremely
tight and would have also been a deserving winner of her class.
|
Barb
Guerra - 2004 John Sherman Classic
Tall Fitness Champion
From
Mesa, AZ, Barb Guerra traveled with her friend Melissa
Lehrer to compete at the John Sherman Classic, but
she was by no means an outsider.
Having
had an electrical accident while living in Pasadena, Texas
when she was 2-years-old, Barb lost both of her arms. Guerra
however, does not consider herself handicapped, and when the
National NPC called down to let the Texas NPC know about Guerra
entering the contest, Texas chairman Michael Johnston said "bring
it on" embracing her entry into the show.
Melissa Lehrer
was almost an in-law of Guerra's when she met her eight years
ago when she was engaged to Guerra's ex-husband's brother. Since
then, the two have formed a very strong friendship and Lehrer
serves as Guerra's 'arms'.
Guerra initially
was inspired by seeing girls in the magazines but was most driven
by the comments of a naysayer who told her that "you will
never win, so why even do it."
She also watched
some handicapped shows, but wanted to compete in an open contest.
Barb loves being on stage and is working on new gymnastics tricks
for next year. Her choreographer Lashona is a Soul Train dancer,
so expect some wicked moves.
Guerra is also
the mother of two boys, one 8- and one 4-years-old. So while
being a mother, working out and practicing her routines, she's
also somehow had time to get ready for her upcoming wedding in
March.
|
Colleen
Castaneda showed a very nice structure with hardness and definition
but may have been 'too hard.' Kirsten Simi was definitely the class
of the C class while Stephanie MacDonald presented the best genetics
and shape in the D class.
Summer
Rogers was lean with nice abs, but was edged out by Michelle Hansen
who also had nice shapes and lines.
A
lot of the audience was there for the biggest girls, and those were
the bodybuilders. With former champs like Gina Davis, the show has
its pedigree and this year lived up to it.
The
lightweight class was won by Cherie Duhe who showed impressive abs,
and the middleweights was won by the ageless Dee Lazard. The lightheavyweight
class was won by Melissa Dettwiller from New Orleans, and Robin Parker
took the Heavyweights.
Dettwiller
and Parker looked very strong in the overall for very differening perspectives.
Parker was shredded with veins and striations in every bodypart. Her
physique was densely packed with mature, hard muscle, while Dettwiller
was softer, but also showed impressive lines and curves.
Another
notable was heavyweight Giana Holder from Plano. Holder was huge and
carried impressive mass, with really nice lats and wide shoulders.
Holder was actually preparing for Nationals only, when she found out
her national qualification needed to be refreshed. Thus, she decided
the only option was to do the John Sherman and she will no doubt impress
at Nationals the following week - definitely keep an eye out for this
33-year-old.
In
the novice class, Maria Carolina-Davis won the lightweight and overall
title, but Kim Treiber who won the middleweights would have also been
a deserving overall champion. While Davis was harder, Treiber has a
more full structure and should continue to progress in the sport.
In
the end, the weekend as a whole was full of impressive talent and if it is any
indication of the talent in the state, the Nationals should be packed with amazing
physiques both on stage and off! 
| Results |
| Bodybuilding
Open
Overall:
Robin Parker
Lightweights
1) Cherie Duhe
2) Isabel Fernandez
Middleweights
1) Dee Lazard
LightHeavyweights
1) Melissa Dettwiller
2) Drexel Long
3) Marie Tullos
Heavyweights
1) Robin
Parker
2)
Giana
Holder
3) Ellen
Torrence
4) Patricia Hower
Novice
Overall:
Maria
Carolina Davis
Lightweights
1) Maria Carolina-Davis
2) D'ann Vela
3) Elizabeth Frizell
4) Renae Sassenhagen
Middlweights
1) Kim Treiber
2) Rita Knight
Heavyweights
1) Tammy Baz |
Fitness
Overall
1)
Carmen Chavez - Short Class champ
2) Tiffany Henley
3) Christy Robertson - Medium Class champ
4) Barbie Guerra - Tall Class champ
Figure
Teen - Holly
Hanley
Figure
Masters
1)
Valerie Burke
2) Catherine Clark
3) Joy Lewis
4) Elizabeth Frizell
5) Doris Breslin
6) Barbara Rabon
7) Frances McBridge
8) Tracie Light
9) Maria Lourdes Moro
10) Rosa Hurst
11) Cindy Cancienne
12) Tammy Baz
13) Jodie Bruce
Masters
Womens Bodybuilding
1) Dee Lazard
2) Ellen Torrence
3) Cherie Duhe
4) Isabel Fernandez
5) Marie Tullos
6) Patricia Hower
7) Tammy Baz
8) Rita Knight |
Figure
Overall:
Laura
Class
A
1)
Laura
Belew
2) Carmen Chavez
3) Linda Crow
4) Valerie Burke
5) Blanca Coello
6) Stephanie Stark
7) Brenda Hicks
8) Catherine Clark
9) Elizabeth Frizell
10) Jodie Eichmann
11) Elvira Orozco
12) Maria Lourdes Moro
13) Rosa Hurst
14) Tiffany Henley
15) Brandi Groves
16) Jodie Bruce
Class
B
1)
Laura Bailey
2) Claudine Null
3) Colleen Castaneda
4) Marissa Ann Garza
5) Dara Trager
6) Frances McBride
7) Doris Breslin
8) Cassie Newman
9) Tracie Light
10) Rebecca Griffith-Peterson
11) Tisha Maddux
12) Lisa Nobles
13) Cindy Cancienne
Class
C
1)
Kristen Simi
2) Joy Lewis
3) Nancy Garcia
4) Isabel Martinez
5) Jessica Garrison
6) Barbara Rabon
7) Julie Fly
8) Shakelle O'Neal
9) April Cherece Pinkston
Class
D
1)
Stephanie McDonald
2) Michelle Hanson
3) Summer
Rogers
4) Jennifer Martin
5) Jeanette Heikkia
6) Jackie Vallair
7) Mele Elgin
8) Kelly Morris
9) Belinda Tygart
10) Elizabeth Stryker
11) Nia Kelley
12) Tammy Baz
13) Heather Brown
14) Barbie Guerra
|
Last
updated: 11/17/2004 @ 6:21 p.m. PT
