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Northern States Super Natural 2002
The Historic Riviera Theater in North Tonawanda was the place to be
on May 4. Competitors from all over the Northeast squared off at the
first annual Northern States Super Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and
Figure Contest (NSSN). The contest was promoted by Marian Giallombardo
(publisher and owner of Sports & Leisure Magazine) and Don Cray,
owner of Cray’s Gym in Buffalo.
The NSSN is sanctioned by the INBF. All of the athletes were tested
via polygraph, to ensure a seven-year natural status. The INBF, unlike
other natural federations, does ban the use of pro-hormones, as well
as other banned substances.
As first time promoters, it was challenging and exciting to venture
into the unknown world of promoting shows. Don and I worked hard to
bring something different to the local bodybuilding scene. We wanted
our show to have a family atmosphere where the competitors would feel
special and be rewarded for all of their hard work.
The support from our generous sponsors helped make it possible to
put on an exciting and professionally run show. Nutrition Warehouse,
our Gold sponsor, provided all competitors with goodies (protein powder
packs, vitamins and protein bars) and gave each class winner a 5.75-pound
jug of whey protein. Our other major sponsor was Pacillo’s (Buffalo).
Steve’s Meats (Buffalo), Beyond 2000 Nutrition, Holiday Inn (Buffalo),
Castle Banner and Sign (Cheektowaga), and Phil’s Pizza (Tonawanda)
also sponsored the event.
Shirley Giallombardo (author of S&L Magazine’s monthly recipe)
and Phil’s Pizza provided food for the competitors and the staff.
As a competitor, I knew what our athletes would be craving… pizza
and donuts. Dozens of Krispy Crème donuts and party pizzas were
feasted on after the show.
WNSA daytime radio host, Mike Schopp (2 - 6 pm weekdays) was the Master
of Ceremonies. He handled the job like a pro. Although he had never
even attended a bodybuilding show, you would have thought he had done
this many times before. Next year I hope "WNSA’s Mr. America"
shows up in the little red posing suit that I sent him. A little Pro-tan
and oil and he’ll be ready!
Before the competitors came out, the audience was treated to a light
and special effects show. As the curtain opened, the competitors were
posing to "We are the Champions" by Queen. As an added attraction,
giant wooden statues (made to look like the sculptured trophies) flanked
the stage. These "giant trophies" will be back yearly and
will have the names of our open class winners added to them.
The Master Khechen School of Tae Kwon-Do put on an entertaining demonstration.
Ten students from the school had the audience mesmerized by their highly
skilled performance.
We’ve all heard the statement… "like a rock."
Well, guest poser, Eddie Hernandez exemplifies that phrase. He "wowed"
the audience as well as the contestants. He has been training for 24
years, and it shows. He was huge and rock hard (his biceps didn’t
even feel human!). Eddie demonstrated by example that it is possible
to be amazingly massive while remaining 100 percent natural for life.
The athletes looked great and their routines were entertaining. The
INBF allows props during the evening routines, and many of the contestants
took full advantage of the opportunity to have a little fun.
Both fitness competitors were very energetic. Sharon Davis took top
honors over Denise Anguzza. In the figure division, all five ladies
were poised and pretty. Dez Comer placed fifth, Vaso Kroto was fourth,
Michelle Chapman was third, Denise Anguzza was second and Sharon Davis
went home with another first place trophy.
Four ladies competed in the masters over-40 class. A very muscular
Melanie Granada had excellent upper body development and hardness; she
earned a well-deserved first. Also sporting a muscular physique—especially
through her back —Diane Benedict placed second, while Tina Rosier
and Joanne Howard were third and fourth respectively.
There were three classes of men’s masters. Chris Raker had vascular
arms and was very lean and cut, and took the over-40 class, while Bob
Caughey placed second, Steve Orsini was third and Mel Scott, who had
big arms but needed to be a little leaner, was fourth. In the over 50
class, George Cascone’s exceptional symmetry and wide lats earned
him the win, as well as the masters overall title. Also placing in the
over-50 were Steve Orsini, second and Ron Cuspard, third. In the over-60
class, Steve Orsini placed first and Ron Cuspard was second.
Newcomer, Stephanie Newman possessed a nice overall structure and
good biceps and was the unanimous winner in the woman’s novice
class. Tina Rosier, who was very lean but needs a little more size,
placed second. Joanne Howard had nice size and was third.
In the men’s novice class A, Hamen E. took fourth; he came in
thick, but needed to be a little leaner. Todd Conroy, who had good legs
but was a little flat, placed third and Jeremy Selimbene was lean, hard
and had cut abs, and placed second. Luke Pecyna, who showed off well-defined
muscularity and overall thickness, celebrated his 26th birthday in style…with
a win.
In the men’s novice class B, Ron Funderburk, who made his comeback
in bodybuilding after many years, had a shredded upper body and placed
fifth. Bob Bozek had a muscular upper body and was fourth. Brock Pickens
had vascular arms and great abs and was third. Chris Raker’s cut
thighs helped him take second and Aaron Newman’s very thick upper
body and shredded legs earned him first place.
Bob Caughey had good biceps, a lean back and captured the men’s
class C win, while Anthony Andrews sported good biceps development and
placed second, and Mel Scott who possessed good size, took third.
The men’s novice classes were tough and competitive. The top
finishers in all three classes looked great. Although Luke Pecyna and
Bob Caughey displayed well-defined muscular physiques, Aaron Newman
was the unanimous winner.
Women’s open lightweight competitor Michelle Chapman had a nice
overall shape and placed second, while Joan Bourkney’s nice quads,
and excellent back earned her the first place.
In the heavyweight class, Mitzi Newman had strong calves and quads;
she placed third. One point separated Diane Benedict who placed second
and Melanie Granada, who came in first.
It was a close call, but Joan Bourkney’s cuts, detail and symmetry
earned her the top honor as the overall open winner.
The men’s open bantamweight class was very close. Craig Yarnell
had excellent legs and side serratus and took the top spot over Ron
Ashbaug, who had an exceptional V-taper, excellent chest, but wasn’t
quite as ripped as Craig.
Seasoned competitor Steve Orsini was ripped as usual, finishing first
in the lightweight class.
In the men’s middleweight class, Twanta Craig who was cut and
defined, placed third. Although George Cascone had exceptional symmetry,
it wasn’t enough to earn top honors. Adam Schoenhals, with good
overall shape, thickness and vascularity, placed first. He also competed
as the only teen.
Three men vied for the top spot in the light heavyweight division.
Irving Rosenthal had a nice V-taper, but he needed a little work on
his quads, and was third. Dan Florestan took second with his thick chest
and hard delts. Thick and balanced, Larry Baiz unanimously placed first.
Heavyweight Ron Cuspard had size, and placed second to Scott Newman
who possessed a tiny waist and well-balanced physique.
The thick, well-balanced, vascular and hard Larry Baiz’s trip
from Syracuse, NY was well worth it, as he unanimously took the top
honors as the men’s open overall winner. It won’t be long
before we see Larry on stage as a WNBF pro.
The judging staff had years of experience behind them. Our two local
judges, Nick Mortellaro and Richard Derwald, both have been involved
in bodybuilding and powerlifting for decades. Fellow WNBF Pro Kathy
DiMartino owns PROfitness Training in Rochester. WNBF World and Universe
Champion Eddie Hernandez promotes a show in Hazlet, N.J. Steve Downs
was the head judge, is VP of the INBF and has been involved in bodybuilding
for many years.
Having had a few weeks to reflect on the last few months, I am still
overwhelmed when I think about the show. It was challenging and fun
to promote such a large event. Don and I are very happy to have had
such a great group of competitors, sponsors and staff at our first show.
Everyone who was involved helped make our first show a very rewarding
experience. We appreciate all of the positive feedback that we have
had from our competitors.
We plan to build on the tradition that we have started, and we’ll
continue to promote shows that are fun for the athletes and entertaining
for the audience. The 2003 show will be held at the Riviera Theater,
May 3. For information/application or tickets, call 716-876-2738.
We’re holding another bodybuilding, fitness and figure show preparation
semnar in August. Check out the ad on page 16 for details.
For additional show coverage, read Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness
Magazine. It’s available at Tops and Wegmans and many other locations.
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