1999 NPC Jr. Nationals (Fitness)
By -Jabber



Fitness:

Before the prejudging, I asked Steve Wennerstrom if he had a list of the
competitors, to which I was furnished some more specific info than I usually
have at prejudging.  So hopefully, my notes will be a bit more complete than
usual.  But, interestingly, the ages of the competitors was not divulged on
that roster nor by the MC.  For what it's worth, there were two MC's, Rick
Adams, and from WWF, San Antonio resident, Shawn Michaels.  Shawn was "flat"
as an MC, didn't really try to be humorous or flamboyant; strange
considering his expansive WWF demeanor.

As usual, in fitness, there were two classes, short and shorter. :-)  In the
shorter class (5'3" and under), in 4th place was Selena Musselman, 5'1 1/2".
At the finals, I was sitting next to her husband, Brent, so we chatted a
bit.  I thought she was a familiar face, although rarely am I "back east"
for contests (Selena was from Quakertown, PA).  I'd seen her working out at
the Champions Day banquet the day after the WSE '98 in East Rutherford, NJ,
where she caught my eye.  She didn't compete the day before, just helped
out, but she was eye-catching and had fresh good looks.  In fact, I told
Brent (he was quite disappointed (as I'm sure she was, too) in her last
place finish) that she was probably the most "marketable" looking fitness
competitor on stage that day.  She, indeed, bore more than a passing
resemblance to a shorter version of Cameo Kneuer...  and that's good.

In 3rd place (and I continued to console Brent that there's ONE reason why
she finished ahead of his wife) was an unforgettable Angela
Monteleone-Semsch, 5'3".  She, as with Selena, but even moreso, wasn't that
cut or defined looking.  In fact, amazingly Angela didn't even look that
strong, just a very cute brunette with somewhat broad shoulders.  What was
that ONE thing that made Angela finish ahead of Selena?  In Angela's routine
(and you guys know I rarely remember things in fitness competitor's
routines), right in the middle of the stage, Angela did at least 3 or 4
strict handstand push-ups!  I was floored.  For the finals, she did 3
slightly less strict handstand push-ups, but still, the balance and strength
that this involves...  whoa!

In 2nd place was Alexis Marantis, 5'1 1/2", who looked like a more
traditional fitness competitor, blonde, and more muscular.  She had the best
legs, especially thighs, hands down, in the fitness competition.  Plus she
flexed her upper body, including a double biceps, during her routine.  This
was well-received, indeed.

In 1st place was an anomaly here.  The greatest abs of the show belonged to
Allison Bookless, 5'2".  She was in pristine ripped condition, what did she
think this was, bodybuilding or sumptin'? :-)  Also, against the grain of
impeccably groomed fitness competitors, Allison looked facially more like an
fbb (read whatever you like into that one...)...  I commented to Brent that
it seems the marketability of the women was opposite of their finish in this
class (for print and magazine work, etc.).

In the short class (over 5'3"), in 2nd place was Raquel Townley, 5'4", a
tall-looking thin attractive black woman, unfortunately with a weird tattoo
on her left shoulder.  Interestingly, I'd just seen her last month at the
Betty Pariso-sponsored North Texas/SW USA in Arlington.  I found it curious
that women who were more impressive and finished higher weren't in this show
(which was a significant step up), but she was.  Hmm...  Raquel's main
problem with her physique is she has a severe problem with some loose skin
and scarring on her abs.  Otherwise, she's pretty firm there, if not a bit
slight looking in build.

In 1st place was by far the most well known female to enter the show, Che'
Swagger, 5'3 1/4".  Interestingly, I thought she was trying to portray a
Theresa Hessler look without the trademark Theresa Hessler abs.  Although I
agreed with the judging, I've seen Che' Swagger look way better in the past.
Che' also got the overall in fitness.

Notable by her absence was a young lady named Lila Nance who I'd met 3
months earlier in Austin.  She stated she was getting ready to enter the Jr.
Nationals, and indeed she had a thick powerful muscular off-season fitness
physique to prove it.  However, evidently she didn't get ready in time, or
perhaps she'd not met the qualifications from a regional show.  I'm a bit
naive in not knowing what's necessary to qualify to enter the Jr. Nationals
fitness, I admit.

Also, interestingly, Shannon Sosa, a very attractive Hispanic woman who
placed 3rd in the short fitness class at the North Texas/SW USA did not
enter, yet I felt she was of higher caliber than Raquel Townley who did
enter.  Oh well.  Shannon only showed up at the prejudging (also
interesting), with her boyfriend.  I was about to chat with her, but she
abruptly left...  hmm... (yes, before the -jabber approached her - LOL).
Not a good time to talk I guess...