2003 NPC Nationals Contest Report and FREE Photo Gallery

2003 NPC Nationals
by Gene X Hwang - November 15, 2003

Miami, FL , USA - The last major amateur competition of the year was held in Miami, FL and excitement and tension were in the air when one of the largest fields of competitors took to the stage to vy for their pro cards.

While fitness may be seeing a drop in competitors due to figure, the fitness classes were all quite large at Nationals, and six new pros emerged from the weekend. For women's bodybuilding, the field was over 80 competitors, and in the heavyweights there were 38 alone in the class. Additionally, the NPC announced the re-introduction of the Light Heavyweight class in 2004 (new classes would be LW: under 115, MW 115-125, LHW 125-140 and HW over 140 lbs.).

As the lightweights took to the stage, the elimination round was first since there were so many entrants. The class this year was one of the deepest with many excellent athletes and many with great future promise taking the stage, but it was all Michelle Davis' day. From Atlanta, GA, the forty-something Davis came into the show in the best shape of her career and coupled with her conditioning that was spot on, the title was hers to take, although veterans such as Pam Kusar, Tera Guzman, Michelle Burdick, Shannon Rabon and rising stars Emery Miller, Melanie Thompson, Lyndsay Mullinazzi, Lisa James, Sheron Kestler and Beth Wachter all pressed Davis.

Mulinazzi, a former fitness competitor, steamed up the stage during her very sexy routine, and was happy that she got the attention of everyone with her routine. Two to watch are Lisa James and Melanie Thompson. Both display nice full muscle bellies and a more balanced physique with great lines and solid muscularity. Kusar had nice balance overall, but Rabon, a favorite to win the class, didn't come in sharp enough, a recurring problem for her.

There were also several competitors that did not make the cut that looked good including Mara Brescia of NYC .

Tamara Wright did make the cut and with her stage presence and overall package should be another to keep an eye on.

The Middleweight Mixup Maya Stone was originally announced as the winner of the MW class, and thus earning her pro card. Stone was understandably surprised, ecstatic and thrilled by the announcement but then the judges brought out the class again to correct the results. While it was the right thing to do and the right results were awarded, one thing the NPC could do that would be fair to Stone as well, is give her a pro card. After all it was not her fault that the results were announced as they were, and the emotional rollercoaster she must have been on for that period were not fair to her. In similar instances in other sports and federations, such things have happened, and it would seem a prudent move for the NPC to make. 11/19/03 - Addendum - It looks like Stone may have more bad news, and Anita Nikolich some good as Nikolich is now 2nd and Stone 3rd...

The middleweights class had the most controversy (see sidebar) but yielded a deep field of amazing athletes. It was Tonia Williams though who swept the judges scoresheets with 1st place marks and presented an amazingly detailed package with striations throughout her well muscled package, deservedly earning her pro card.

However, that's not the way it played out on stage, as when the final results were being announced, the biggest boos of the night came as Williams was announced in second, and the ecstatic Maya Stone, announced in first. The photos were taken, the trophies handed out, and the next classes brought out before emcee Lonnie Teper announced there had been a mistake in the middleweight results, and was bringing the class back out.

Many the audience who booed knew what had happened, and it was good that the situation was resolved with Williams being announced the class winner (and subsequently earning her pro status) and Stone taking second, with all other placings remaining as they were originally announced.

Anita Nikolich followed in third and presented her physique impressively along with perhaps the best hamstrings in the whole show. The shredded Floridian, Beverly DiRenzo looked huge and tight on stage, and took fourth, and is a legitimate threat to take the class as well, while Norma Nieves' sleek physique rounded out the top five.

There were many well conditioned athletes in the class, and with only 22 athletes, the judges did not have to make cuts. Unbelievably, this was the smallest class in the womens bodybuilding competition.

Others in the class that were notable included Stephanie Kessler who placed 15th and Terri Harris, Teresa Moore, Angie Salvagno and Christine Moore, who placed 6th-9th respectively. Cindy Blais also looked good with a thick upper body, and just needs to work more on her legs.

The heavies were up last, and as always, were the most anticipated group. Like the lightweight class, the cut round was first, and one of the most surprising cuts was that of Colette Nelson. Having won the heavies at the USAs several times and always a top contender, it was surprising to many not to see Nelson in the final group. Her conditioning was off, and she admitted after the show that she may focus on other parts of her life, and with her upcoming wedding to Dave Palumbo, she definitely has a lot to look forward to in addition to her busy web-design work.

Gerry Deach, Sylvia Cowen and Linda Cancel, all top amateurs, also didn't make that cut which shows just how deep the class was.

The rest of the top group were all recognizable faces with the exception of Nekole Hamrick who is definitely a rising star, and Gwendolyn Malone. Hamrick has very nice lines and a good aesthetic and with a bit more size (or perhaps competing as a light heavyweight next year?) she should be a staple to compete and place in National level shows.

Speaking of veterans, it was Annie Rivieccio who was the star of the class. The long time national level competitor came in with her usual muscularity and density along with muscle maturity that you only get with years and years of lifting.

Often a bit soft, Rivieccio came in sharp and cut, and easily edged out Mimi Jabalee for the top spot on the judges sheets. Jabalee had taken time off to polish up her physique since Nationals in Miami a couple years ago, and the improvements were impressive.

With nice full muscularity throughout and conditioning that was right on, she could have won the class had Rivieccio not been there. Look for Jabalee to be pushing for her pro card in her upcoming shows. Lora Ottenad followed Jabalee with her impressive size and density. She was very full and looked fantastic, still refining her physique and improving.

Fourth went to Sherry Smith who brought up her upper body and shoulders and looked phenomenal as well. Cut, lean and dry, Smith also is a strong poser and has excellent stage presence. Yet another top amateur that will always be knocking on the door for the top spot.

Local competitor Yamile Marerro took fifth and also made major improvements to her physique and looked great as well. Marerro has been steadily improving and looks now to be another one to watch at every show.

Former middleweight Michelle Ivers moved up to the heavies and looked strong. Even against the biggest girls, she holds her own, with outstanding conditioning and of course awesome muscle maturity like Rivieccio. The much heralded Gina Davis showcased her package but just had a bit of water on and was not quite crisp enough. However she has put on impressive size in her back and fullness throughout and may have had one of the most aesthetically pleasing overall packages in the class.

Sheila Bleck is a bit of a fresh face on the national scene, but she looked strong on stage and is an excellent poser as well. Sheilahe Brown and Dre Dillard placed 8th and 9th and Lori Emory trailed them looking very tight as well. The conditioning of the top 12 was amazing, with Ivers in 11th and Michelle Baker coming in 12th. Baker has a great aesthetic along the lines of Nancy Lewis and Negrita Jayde.

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Fitness continues to lose athletes to figure but there were some impressive athletes on stage this time. This may be the last year that the top two earn their pro cards as the NPC and IFBB may reduce that to only the class winners, which would be a smart decision.

The short class had 14 athletes and Jenny Allen and Carla Freda took the top two spots. Freda was tighter and her routine was more polished and thus she edged out Allen.

Allison Daughtry looked great as well, but was injured and couldn't perform her routine for finals. The best routine though was that of Kristi Wells. With impressive arms and nice muscularity, Wells didn't place so well in the 2-piece round, and although her electric routine and impressive tumbling and strength moves won her the routine round, she didn't make the top five and was not able to perform her routine at finals.

Nita Wilson placed 4th and her routine at the finals was exciting. Displaying impressive strength and dynamite stage presence, Wilson again impressed and is a role model to other mothers. Laura Brenton finished out the top five just ahead of Wells.

Fortune Santos has a fantastic physique although her full muscularity may have been a bit much for the judges, although from this reporter's perspective it was one of the top physiques. Rose Hendricks improved her routine and Lori Groomes displayed impressive flexibility.

In the medium height class, Lydia Haskell took the title, but the battle for second place was very close and Bethani Terrell was edged out by two points by Amy Huber.

Sandie Ward placed 4th behind them and presented a more streamlined physique and was followed by Angela English. Lori Smith showcased one of the more muscular fitness physiques but wasn't rewarded.

Megan Tennant had a great routine and won the fitness round, but she needs to tighten up her physique a bit. Kim Seely looked very impressive and was very conditioned but just missed the top five. Marina Garza had the best abs and calves of the group, while Shae Calcari displayed nice tumbling moves. Like Smith, Jamie Shires also showcased an impressive physique with more full muscles than most, and was just holding a bit of water. Her legs are among the best in fitness, and her national level debut was just a taste of what we should be able to expect from her.

The tall class pro cards were won by a team - Shannon Dey and Melissa Babers. The two trained with each other and were delighted to turn pro together. Babers is known for her outstanding physique and she brought up her routine this time around, while Dey was more balanced, and displayed impressive strength moves.

Celeste Turner improved her physique and routines and deservedly took third while Yvette Viega has also improved her routines tremendously and looks much more relaxed on stage. Electric Vickie Newton took fifth in the class and presented one of the most thickly muscled physiques with excellent shapes and an entertaining routine. In previous competitions Newton has been placed lower because of her muscularity so it was good to see her being rewarded for it this time around.

Others that looked good outside the top five were Heidi Larson who looked very tight and might have had the misfortune of being the competitor on the very end right next to the impressive Babers. Letitia "Action" Jackson also wowed the audience with incredible flexibility reminiscent of Stacey Simons, and a memorable routine. Jennifer Flatt improved as well, and placed eighth.

So at the end of the season it appears that there will be some interesting rules changes for next year, and hopefully the new crop of pros will compete and maybe even surprise some of the pros.

Results

Bodybuilding Overall: Annie Rivieccio* Lightweights 1) Michelle Davis* 2) Lyndsay Mulinazzi 3) Pam Kusar 4) Lisa James 5) Melanie Thompson 6) Shannon Rabon 7) Michelle Burdick 8) Beth Wachter 9) Ellen Woodley 10) Tamara Wright 11) Angie Rojas 12) Emery Miller 13) Sheron Kestler 14) Tera Guzman 15) Shirley Crosby Middleweights 1) Tonia Williams* 2) Anita Nikolich 3) Maya Stone 4) Beverly DiRenzo 5) Norma Nieves 6) Terry Harris 7) Teresa Moore 8) Angie Salvagno 9) Christine Moore 10) Yvette Bova 11) Sondra Faas 12) Trisha DeHall 13) Pamela Roger 14) Janet Kaufman 15) Stephanie Kessler 16 tie) Tina Heggins 16 tie) Kay Peiser 16 tie) Jacqueline Larsen 16 tie) Cyndi Blais 16 tie) Cythina Whitehouse 16 tie) Cassandra Floyd 16 tie) Cheryl Overman Heavyweights 1) Annie Rivieccio* 2) Mimi Jalabee 3) Lora Ottenad 4) Sherrie Smith 5) Yamile Marerro 6) Sheila Bleck 7) Gina Davis 8) Sheilahe Brown 9) Dre Dillard 10) Lori Emory 11) Michelle Ivers 12) Michelle Baker 13) Tatianna Butler 14) Kelly Felske 15) Gwndolyn Malone 16) Nekole Hamrick * earns pro card

Fitness Overall: Carla Freda* Short Class 1) Carla Freda* 2) Jenny Allen* 3) Allison Doherty 4) Nita Wilson 5) Laura Benton 6) Kristi Wells 7) Fortune Santos 8) Bonnie Scofield 9) Trina Goosby 10) Rose Hendricks 11) Lori Groomes 12 tie) Sheila Law 12 tie) Diana Crandall 14) Rebel Hudson Medium Class (scoresheet) 1) Lydia Haskell* 2) Amy Huber* 3) Bethani Terrell 4) Sandie Ward 5) Angela English 6) Kim Seely 7) Megan Tennant 8) Lisa McCormick 9) Gina Ostarly 10) Shae Calcari 11) Carrie Simmons 12) Jamie Shires 13) Lesli Murphy 14) Malena Marquez 15) Marina Garza 16) Michelle Beaumont 17) Lori Smith 18) Tara L. Cabrillo 19) Annie Lomax Tall Class 1) Shannon Dey* 2) Melissa Babers* 3) Celeste Turner 4) Yvette Viega 5) Vickie Newton 6) April Jacobs 7) Laticia Jackson 8) Jennifer Flatt 9) Betty Otaola 10) Jeanne Garrell 11) Heidi Larson 12) Susan Wiemer 13) Jermaine Jones * earns pro card

Last updated: 11/19/2003 @ 1:38 p.m. PT

@ 1:38 p.m. PT