1999 NPC South Padre Island (Bodybuilding)
By Jabber


Although I wasn't privy to a roster of the competitors (the judges couldn't
spare one), I did talk to the promoter, Ruben Ramirez.  He actually looked
at my notes, and from memory, corrected some of the spellings (as I had
jotted down).  That's some memory there (so if they're wrong - blame him -
LOL).

Basically there were only three classes, Novice Lightweight, Novice
Middleweight, and Masters Women (yeah there were men, too - but I didn't
review them).  6, 4, and 2 in each class.

Somehow, it sounds like a riddle/brain teaser here, but they had only the
top 5 come out to do routines at the night audience (thus allowing me to
deduce who was 6th), but only the top 3 were given trophies.  Thus, in the
Novice Lightweight, I had no idea who got 5th and 4th.

Novice Lightweight:

In 6th was Vereel Crenp.  It was obvious she had little or no experience on
stage, as she seemed a bit lost.  Both her and another competitor seemed to
douse themselves in oil before the prejudging, better suiting themselves for
an oil-wrestling match than a bodybuilding contest. :-)  Unfortunately,
because the lights were a bit unprofessional, it really didn't matter.  As I
pointed out to another at the prejudging, both her and a couple others in
this class?  Their bodies were better than their presentation skills.  Plus
she wasn't really wearing a posing suit, but a regular-cut bikini top
(straps in back are way different).

In 5th and 4th were Debbie Salinez and Clare Fernandes, both beginners with
good genetics, especially Clare.  In 3rd was Pat Metcalf, another attractive
brunette who I may have put in 2nd as she was more polished in her posing
but not real hard.  In 2nd was Vinny Lopez, who beat out Ms. Metcalf because
she was hard with great abs (but if fitness competitor Jessica Sosa came
out, she would've blown Ms. Lopez away in the abs department).  Ms. Lopez
needs to work on arm thickness a bit.

In 1st was a good competitor, Marisa Garcia.  A polished poser for this
group, she was the most overall well-defined, also with great abs.  She
seemed all wide-eyed and surprised when she won (refreshing although she's
not young - she was a Master's competitor also).

An interesting, and perhaps disturbing trend I noticed at this show was that
all these competitors did not clench their fists when doing bicep shots.
They all used the open-handed posing.  Luckily this didn't seem to carry
over to the Middleweights.

Novice Middleweight:

In 4th was Mary Heggie, a very attractive young brunette Hispanic woman (is
this getting repetitive?), in 3rd was a polished looking woman named Kim
Murphy.  I would've placed her 2nd as her overall look was great, but she
also needed to work on the details.  In 2nd, again an abs woman (who
probably dreaded being seen with Jessica Sosa - the abs girl from the
fitness portion), who got her placing on that bodypart, I'm sure, Velma
Ramirez.  

In 1st was a diamond in the rough, a quite unexpected delight.  Before she
came on stage, I saw her in the audience with her trainer.  I saw a gorgeous
dark face, dark hair, she looked reminiscent of Negrita Jayde of Canada
(remember her?); basically another very attractive young brunette Hispanic
woman - which was quite commonplace there.  Although wearing a cover-up, she
didn't look that big, and with her full-looking features, she couldn't be
that dieted down, right?

Angie Segovia was her name.  Her arms were a bit small for her body
(especially noticeable in a side chest shot).  But everything else was
great.  Otherwise great symmetry, incredible calves and especially thighs
WAY above what you'd expect at two classes above this show.  Her torso
(chest, lats, thighs) was good, her abs a bit lacking, not by much though.
And in front double bicep shots, her arms looked acceptable, too.  I
commented to another fellow at the show, she's so good, she should be guest
posing this show.  

An amazing find, I didn't get a chance to ask her what her next show will be
(I'm hoping the Texas State) as as soon as the show was over, she went to
the concession stand to order nachos dripping with cheese. :-)  Didn't want
to disturb her during her meal...  Needless to say, Ms. Segovia got the
overall, too.

Master's Women:

We've seen these two before, both from the lightweight class, Pat Metcalf
got 2nd and Marisa Garcia won this class also.  Marisa and Pat are both
tributes to how bodybuilding can indeed keep someone young looking.  Marisa
also was quite a pleasant surprise, quality-wise at this type of show.