Cleveland,
OH, USA -
The North Americans became a truly continental event this
year as the Mexican federation brought a slew of tremendous athletes to
Cleveland. This year also marked the first
time in several years that the Canadian Nationals did
not happen on the same date, opening up the show to many more athletes
and the result was the largest amount of competitors ever.
In
womens bodybuilding, it was Maria Segura who immediately looked
outstanding in her class. It would be up to the judges to
see which way the judging would go though and each of the classes had
strong athletes of various shapes and sizes.
The
lightweights only had two competitors - Lisa James and Karen Geninatti
but both were well conditioned and James took the class. One
of the biggest looking lightweights, we hope to see James competing
more again now that's she back on the scene.
The
middles was a deep class with the entire group looking strong.
Tracy Mason took the class being the tightest throughout and
edged out Ohioan Amy Sibcy. Both we tight as was third place
finisher Pam Shealy who just keeps improving and showcases a very
pleasing shape.
Michelle
Morrisson was looking thick
and it was just her conditioning that wasn't quite as tight as the
others that held her back in the final results. Mexico's
Yadira Herrera looked very impressive with impressively developed legs,
but wasn't hard enough to place higher. Canadian Carmen
Tocheniuk's presentation was hard to overlook with a striking look and
grace. Conditioning again was the primary reason she didn't
crack the top five, while Dee Lazard was hard and in shape, but in such
a tough class, there was no shame in taking seventh.
Segura
was in the light heavies, and although she was actually shorter than
the middleweight champ, she still looked huge with thick muscularity
and cuts throughout. He legs in particular were noticable but
on balance, American Michelle Brent may have had a more aesthetic
shape. Always conditioned, Brent looked fantastic and was
pressed by Anita Nikolich and Christine Sabo making the top four in
this class a very impressive group.
Sabo has been
doing some new things with her prep, including more organics and blood
type specific dieting which has paid off in her health and she
continues to bring an impressive physique on stage.
Tammi
Burdelski was at her best as was Kim Ferrell who actually weighed less
that in previous shows, but looked thick and big on stage.
Sabrina
Goody-Washington was in great shape and has nice thin skin that makes
her muscularity stand out, but with such a deep, competitive class,
placed seventh just ahead of the well shaped Rachael McMillan.
Jennifer Harris was the only athlete who competed in
bodybuilding and figure and we hope she sticks with it.
The
heavies was a battle between two Floridians - Nekole Hamrick (above)
and Bev
DiRenzo. In the end they tied and it was up to the tie
breaker that Hamrick took the class. Hamrick has classic
lines and a fantastic physique that's very balanced. DiRenzo
looked hard and thick, and was followed by Diana Cook who took third
ahead of Heather Pedigo. The
scores
were all incredibly close and the judges could have gone in a
number of ways in the class, interchanging the top four in any of a
variety of ways.
Fifth went to Kim Bergman who
showcases some of the best shapes in her physique. Her
standing 'relaxed' pose is amazing and Bergman just keeps improving.
Mary Lynne Mackenzie placed just behind her but had one of
the most muscular upper bodies in the show and as always was well
conditioned.
[Note
from Steve Wennerstrom: Segura was only the second competitor from
Mexico to win the overall IFBB North American title since its inception
in
1982, and the first since Martha Sanchez won the crown in 1994.]
In
Figure, class A was won by new figure phenom Brandi Binkley (left).
Binkley won the Tennessee and was making her National level
debut
and stormed to the A Class title. Canadian Maranda Lessard
also
looked great with nice muscularity, especially her legs.
The B class was Amy Thompsons class and she beat
out an
impressive Bea Fox to take the class as well as the overall, stamping
her way into the IFBB.
Tiffany Rabon continued her
strong
placings winning the C Class. Second went to Jan Horn who has
an
awesome physique and is always on the fringe of a pro card.
We
wouldn't be surprised to see her turn pro soon. Danielle
Kifer
was another in the class with an outstanding physique.
The
tallest class was home to Jessica Steffens who took the second pro card
as runner up in the overall. Nancy Georges, who also turned
pro
this evening as the Over 35 Masters champion took second in the class
and will be a good pro.
Others to keep an eye on are
Stephanie
McDonald who took fourth, Melissa Deal (fifth) and Kim Tilden of
Canada. Tilden should be placing higher with her great
physique
but hopefully the judges will be noticing her more in upcoming shows.
The
big surprise in D class was probably Christina Dzieduszycki placing so
low. She was overlooked in the first round and then couldn't
make
up any ground. As one of the top Canadian athletes, look for
more
from Dzieduszycki who should be a top contender almost any time she
steps on stage.
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