IFBB Pro Fitness
Friday night began the prejudging with both the pro fitness and pro bodybuilders taking the stage. With the two piece round starting things off, Jenny Worth, Stephanie Worsfold and Lena Johannesen made the first callout. The second callout included Brandi Maddron, Adela Friedmansky and Elizabeth Streeter. However, in the final results these six placed in widely varying places from first through 11th, but that was going to be indicative through all four rounds of juding.

Although most of the competitors that were called out deserved to be when they were, there was one notable ommission from most of the rounds, and that was Pamela Hellman. Hellman placed well in the 45 second mandatory routine as well as the full routine, but was heavily penalized in the two-piece and one-piece rounds, although her physique was outstanding. Although quite hard and defined, Worth was also in fairly hard condition, and didn't place as low. There are certainly structural differences between those two but it was another instance where competitors can easily be confused about what the judges are actually looking for. The 11th callout actually had Jenny Worth, Ursula Buckanes-Henry (eventual 19th placer) and Lena Johannesen (eventual 3rd place finisher) which was perplexing to say the least. On the bodybuilding side, this contest served to make a point though...

The second round for the fitness competition, the 45-second mandatory routine round, seems to be weighed too heavily. Since 45-seconds to do six mandatory moves is quite a short amount of time, one slip up can really destroy your placement. Elizabeth Streeter was a fine example of being penalized for this. Although her routine may not have been the best, it was certainly not the worst, and she got the maximum points for that round (which in fitness scoring means last place). Although she was tied with a few others, those points from that round alone may have cost her the automatic Fitness Olympia qualification that the top three placers earn.

New pro Chiper Vogel, on the other hand benefitted from the two routine round scoring. In the two-piece round her rookie status could be seen when on stage next to some of the sports best athletes, but it's something that time and training can correct. However, her routines were excellent and she brings great energy to the stage, which will be a great asset in future competitions.

Mandy Blank looked much better than she has in her recent shows, and her routine earned her first place in the full routine round even beating out Jennifer Hendershott and Jenny Worth who had very memorable routines. Memorable more relevant to Worth's as she once again brought out a motorcycle but this time also had the help of the Civic Center lighting crew and flourescent yellow outfit and wig. After doing some presses and a nice dismount off her hog, she had the lights killed and replaced with black lighting which made her bodysuit and hair glow intensely like a raver kid might look. It was quite an amazing effect and the crowd absolutely loved it. The only problem is, it's hard to see what kind of moves she was actually doing in the dark. Since you couldn't quite tell what was going on, you could not know if she was doing her presses well, etc. The routine seemed more appropriate as a guest posing routine and also slightly unfair since I am sure it would have been quite difficult for Marlene Prada to bring a chopper and lighting all the way from Italy.

Hendershott on the other hand had a sparkling routine with vibrant energy and her trademark smirk. Once again, Lena placed lower because of her routine, which was not as sharp as usual. Cynthia Bridges started off the routine round and got the crowd into it with a solid presentation. The next notable was Adela Friedmansky with her latin flair and high energy style. Her routine was slightly improved from the Arnold, which was excellent then.

Several other competitors used the same routines as before and Lisa Lowe came out in her Matrix patent leather jacket and shades and did her Italian Pro Fitness winning routine. However, not everything was good, as Karen Konyha had a good solid routine going when the music stopped half way through her routine. Not only did that throw her off from her rhythym, it also lost a lot of the momentum in the crowd, and must have been frustrating to someone who had spent so much time preparing.

Stacey Simons had sprained her leg after the prejuding but still took the stage in the evening and earned a 5th place finish. Her full routine lacked the full-on energy she usually exudes, but with her contortionistic moves, and double-jointedness, she kept the crowd and judges interested.

One welcome change was, in this reporters recollection, the first use of drumm & bass in a fitness routine. With the fast paced drum and hammering bass lines, it's a great musical style to go along with a routine, and Kim Hartt used it fairly well.

Elizabeth Streeter, as previously mentioned did not place as well in her routine rounds, and the full routine had her again in a highway patrol officers outfit. Again, she looked awesome in it, but she didn't seem to have the punch and authority while performing, which probably resulted in a lower placement.

Mandy Blank's routine was solid and it's always good to hear the Beastie Boys in any routine, even with an air guitar accompanyment, but then again, who thought they'd be hearing Mandy doing karoke to "baby Got Back" with an entourage of Marine Corps gentlemen?

Overall, the fitness show had some funky placements and if you look at the score sheets and saw the actual competition, the inconsistencies with the judging have to be the worst thing. It's unfortunate that the competitors are penalized or rewarded unjustly and it seems that too often there is little or no accountability from the judges. It might be good to have some way that competitors can have set time to interview the judges to see how they can place better and what justification was given for why they placed where they did, when some similar competitors might have done much better. This of course could also be implemented in the bodybuilding shows as well.
 

Angela Debatin returned to this show, and was perhaps the most improved competitor. Her abs were tremendous and deep, and overall her lines are shaping up. However, her final placement was 4th. Renee Casella definitely looked on and was very hard and tight. Although her symmetry and aesthetics were not as pleasing as Skye Ryland's, Ryland was too smooth and her muscle maturity could not match Casella's.

Casella was moved to tears when she won the class, after toiling at the pro level for a good period without a win. With Jerumbo and Sackmann getting the last two spots and the next most ripped competitor, Denise Gerard, coming in 5th, it was obvious that the new judging criteria meant that the massively shredded, vascular look is out, which I think many would say is a good move, although perhaps not bodybuilding 'purists.'
 

From the first callouts, Gayle Moher, Desiree Ellis, and Valentina Chepiga were compared, with McLaughlin taking Chepiga's place for the second callout for obvious reasons. Chepiga came in her best shape to date, and was easily the best competitor in the competition. Her aesthetic lines, muscle size, fullness, density and conditioning were all so spot on that she could possibly have been held up as the example of what the ideal physique should be.

Moher looked excellent, but when compared to Chepiga, her symmetry could not match hers. Former National Champ Sharon Robelle was a competitor who was obviously confused by the new judging criteria as the usually razor sharp competitor came in smooth and off, and as a result received a last place finish.

Desiree Ellis looked very, very tight, with good symmetry and thickness, but being a tad too defined may have pushed her down below McLaughlin at 4th. When the routine round came, McLaughlin had a good routine but it didn't have her trademark stamp which was because she was sick all night after the prejudging and had to tough it out just to finish the competition, which is a tribute to her.

However, even with her solid routine, Chepiga pulled out a very sensual and dynamic routine that fit her regal stature well, and subsequently earned her the round. A clean sweep of all the rounds for the Ukrainian who now resides in the Seattle, WA area.

The heavyweights wrapped things up with ten competitors taking the stage. New Zealand's Carmen Cotter was a relatively new face for many, and she seemed to get better as the show went on. New pro Pauliina Talus-Halonen also looked very good, but it was Th-Resa Bostick and veterans Laura Binetti and Betty Pariso who got most of the callouts.

Pariso has definitely improved her physique although her aesthetics still seem to be just slightly off, due to her structure. Binetti's traps are overwhelming and she, as usual, was weak in her symmetry because of that. Yaxeni Oriquen looked solid with her impressive biceps and hamstrings, but didn't appear to be fully into the show. Her lats seemed a little smaller too, although her individual bodyparts looked good by themselves.

Maria Calo-Wallace came in the best shape ever, but of course this was the wrong time to do that. As a result she only placed 9th beating out only Donna Logue who was in her usual tight condition. Merete Hornes was very tight as well, but her upper body needs wider lats and shoulders to balance her out. Her legs were quite impressive although Talus' were by far the best of the show.

The back comparisons were impressive especially during the callouts with Bostick, Binetti, Pariso and Cotter. However, Bostick was the judges choice and swept every round just as Chepiga did in the middleweights.

There was no overall title, but the three winners all qualified for the Olympia where it will be interesting to see how Chepiga can do if she can come in the same or better condition in Las Vegas.

The fitness short class saw the return of Opal Petty to the competitive stage. Although she has been around the scene the past couple of years, she didn't complete last year and it was good to see the creative and exuberant Petty back on stage.

Heather Lackner took the class with a statuesque physique that looked much more mature than Petty, but Petty's routines were superb and entertaining, and incorporated some amazing flexibility and strength, much akin to that of the Cirque du Soleil performers.

Third place went to newcomer Keely Cassano. Overall, a good solid class. In the tall class, there was also a good amount of quality with overall fitness winner Lisa Reed looking ready for the national stage already. Second place Carrie Fickle was excellent and the most impressive fitness physique belonged to Tracey Greenwood who performed her routine barefoot.

The tall brunette had a very defined physique that could have probably taken the middle weight title in the NPC bodybuilding show.

NPC Bodybuilding
The bodybuilders had some good competitors with several to look for at the USAs in Vegas in August.

In the lightweight class, it was Mary Ellen "Mel" Doss who destroyed the competition. She came in hard, but with great symmetry, and nice full muscle bellies and maturity that is sometimes lacking at the regional level. Doss will certainly be someone to keep an eye out for and should do well in Las Vegas.

Placing second to her was Dorina Rucker who was a little smooth, but standing next to Doss, was overshadowed. Muriel Brewer and Nicole Nastacia rounded out the four lightweight competitors.

In the middle weight class, there was only one competitor who was not overly impressive. Kassie Simpson took the class, but without anyone to compare against, and having last seen Doss, she looked as if she could improve.

In the heavyweights, the short but thick and hard Sandra Faas looked quite impressive, but with the new criteria in place and trickling down to the NPC, it was not to her advantage. Often coming in a tad soft and not hitting her diet she looked incredibly sharp and thick, but the timing was wrong.

Instead, Marika Johansen won the class. The Swedish competitor can not compete in the Nationals, and the top two of each class qualify so Faas may be at the Nationals along with second place Mercedes Basemore.

Felicia Johnson rounded out the class, and looked very good. She was defined, although she is tall, so it appeared, especially next to Faas, that she was too small. However, Johnson should do well in future contests and is someone to keep an eye out for.

There were numerous other notables, including Team Universe competitor Maggie Blanchard. Stacy Garonzik, preparing for the USAs looked impressive, as did Lisa James. Along with Garonzik was Kara Cameron who may be on an NPC stage some time in the near future. Overall, another great production (sans the glitches, but thankfully emcee Tim Wilkins covered enough and had quality jokes to appease the crowd.

One gem: So I was invited to a bachelor party for my friend who's a bodybuilder... When we showed up there wasn't a stripper, but a guest poser.