1999 North Texas/SW USA Bodybuilding (Bodybuilding) By -Jabber Bodybuilding: First to talk about is the Novice Class. Lightweight: In 3rd was Linda Greer, her best attribute was really good skin tone and color. That's about it. Of note, she was 44 and as with most competitors, also entered the Master's Class, too. In 2nd was Judy Rutledge, and in 1st place was the party animal herself, Dorothy Coleman. The reason I say that is Dorothy (who also entered the Master's Class) didn't crack a smile once. Possibly the most serious looking woman on stage I've EVER seen, it didn't appear that she was exceptionally nervous (although she may have been), only deadly serious. A blonde with great balance but not that attractive in my opinion. But easily the best body in her class. Middleweight: In 5th was Debra Cleare. In 4th was Cissy Lee who was young looking and had a fresh FemSport face (you know FemSport has made it if it gets special mention in a -jabber review - :-) ). Of note, she did a Ray Martin style maneuver of flexing her right bicep over and over again (and yes this got Tex and my attention quite effectively :-) ). In 3rd was Helen Reynolds. In 2nd was Julie Miller, she had good muscle, particularly great calves, but huge implants. In 1st was a force to be reckoned with, indeed. Sandy Bell from Waco was phenomenally huge for both a Middleweight and for a Novice. And she really knew how to hold poses and milk them for the audience. Truly her size was simply a wow in my mind. I talked to her after the show (in which she was completely covered up leaving her muscles to my keen recollection of her on-stage) complimenting her on how well she held her poses and how massive yet well-balanced she was. We talked about her previous and possible future shows, also. Indeed she did NOT get the overall as she put it, in the Novice class they go for ripped looking, not massive, plus the only part of Ms. Bell that was lacking was her abs. I pointed out how another competitor had great abs but didn't know how to pose them. She said her problem is just the opposite. Indeed with such size like that, all she needs is refinement, which I'm sure will come in time. Heavyweight: In 4th was the very cute Erin Reedy. I'd seen her before in a much more ripped look (but thin), then off-season at another Texas show (her difference was substantial), now here, she just didn't look ready for this show (other than a cool tan). Unless they awarded points on cuteness (to which she'd shove nearly everyone else aside :-) ). In 3rd was Karyn Proudhorse (who's husband also entered the show). In 2nd was Ronnie Scott, a blonde who I originally overlooked. The ever biceps-lovin' Tex pointed her upper arms out to me. Indeed they were quite formidable, overshadowing the rest of her physique, but quite pleasingly. Excellent arms when she posed them (possibly exceeding the massive Sandy Bell in bicep size), and she almost had a less defined "Ericca Kern"-esque physique. So actually, if only she could get the rest of her body up to her arms and demeanor, she'd indeed have a promising future. Also, of note, when she walked around after the show, I'd noticed 1) she had slightly stooped shoulders, but 2) her arms looked to be the same size as her boyfriend's (and he was a bodybuilder!)! In 1st was a very striking brunette with her hair pulled back, Chris Butcher. She looked to be of mixed heritage (adding to her striking appearance). Even though she had huge implants, she had tremendous striated pecs and boulder-size shoulders. She knew her best feature and kept showing her striated pecs to the appreciative audience. Overall went to the party animal herself (not), Dorothy Coleman, not the most massive (Sandy Bell), not the most polished, striking, or best pecs (Chris Butcher), but the best balanced. Shucks I wanted to see Sandy Bell win. :-) In the Open Class: Due to poor illegible notes written on a 33 cent postage stamp, -jabber can only tell you Angela Reese, a black woman with overall good balance won the lightweight. I do remember she completely outclassed her one competitor though. In the middleweight, the same happened with 2nd place Kelly Barnett being completely outclassed by the VERY VERY polished (I didn't know you had it in you girl!) Toni Norman from Oklahoma City winning the middleweight. Toni, who I first met at the WSE strength show in October last year in NJ, made a very impressive showing. Our paths also crossed at the Ms. I in Columbus, but dang I NEVER knew she was this good of an fbb! I told her before the show, I'd wish her luck, but she does NOT need it, so I won't. She looked incredible - right down to perfect abdominals. She easily won the Overall (that's right there were NO Heavyweights in the Open Class :-( ). Ms. Norman is DEFINITELY ready for National level competition, it should be interesting to watch her make a stir. In the Master's Class, Gina Robinson (who we hadn't seen before) came in 3rd. A very attractive and young looking Master's competitor, she was interesting in that she looked better relaxed than flexed. She had great width, great shoulders, and a great stance in her relaxed pose. She was in great condition, abdominals showing nicely in her relaxed pose. But when she flexed her abdominals? Nothing! She was who I was referring to when talking to Sandy Bell about how some were in great condition but didn't know how to flex her abs. But indeed, arguably, Gina was the most attractive Master's competitor (and could give the younger girls a run for their money, too). In 2nd came Dorothy Coleman (the overall Novice winner). Still not the party animal, a couple audience members humorously asked her to smile. In 1st came Angela Reese.