The inside scope of the 2009 NPA Tri-Cities “Regional” Bodybuilding & Fitness/Figure Championships
December 5, 2009 the NPA last show of the season was a real challenge. There were twenty four (24)
athletes and some crossovers that made the show a lot larger. The Hopewell “fully accredited” High School
provided a beautiful venue with men and women dressing rooms and a huge stage with excellent lighting.
The show was much better than in year’s of the past. The weather was not on our side and presented
challenges all day long. We really struggled on getting things going. We were in positions to have all start
on time however it was as if time would not let us get to far ahead and was determined to keep things at a
catch up pace. It was midnight by the time we loaded our last piece of equipment and exited the building.
The athletes were in great condition and entertained their fans, friends and families commendably. NPA Pro
athletes Justice Starr, Veronica Paylor and Jerry Garner did a fine job with their guest appearances and
provided additional entertainment to the audience of 200 +spectators.
Again the show was live-judged aka one session and a teenage division was added this year thanks to Zack
Harper, of Mechanicsville, VA who went uncontested and earned the title. However this would not be Zack’s
only appearance as he crossed over into the men’s novice and open divisions. In the men’s lightweight
novice (under 175lbs) new comer and losing 59lbs for this competition Mustafa Khan of Chester, VA
earned 2nd place and teen sensation Zack Harper placed 1st. In the (175+) heavyweight novice came nine
athletes who were fighting to make the top five. 5th place was taken by Clark Fischer of Winston- Salem, NC,
4th place went to David Bowers, Browns Summit, NC, 3rd place Randy Dodge, Lynchburg, VA, 2nd place
Herman Gaskins, Washington, NC and the winner of the class was Solomon Agyeman from Blacksburg, VA.
In the overall posedown between Agyeman and Harper, Agyeman shape and symmetry was just too much
for the younger Harper to overcome. It was a unanimous decision.
In the Masters men (50 +) there were only two; 2nd place finisher was Cedric Perry of Rocky Mount, NC and
1st place winner Clark Fischer who also participated in a cross over. (In the 40-49) there were four and only
the top 3 would leave with awards. 3rd place was awarded to David Bowers who was a 4th place finisher in
the novice, 2nd place was awarded to Randy Dodge who was a 3rd place finisher in the novice and the
winner was Kyle Montgomery of Colonial Heights, VA who scored a perfect score. In the (35-39) division
there were three; 3rd place finisher; Virginia State Trooper Shawn Molden, Colonial Heights, VA 2nd place
finisher Vincent O’Neal, Colonial Heights, VA and 1st place winner from Rolesville North Carolina; Rob
Standley. When the three division winners came together for the overall Masters title Rob Standley was the
winner. Montgomery did receive one first place vote. However, clearly Standley was the best prepared
from head to toe.
Next, the teenage figure was bought out and all the way from South Rockwood, Michigan was uncontested
female teen Sarah VanWassenhnova who appeared to have a wonderful time. She did crossover and she
quickly understood the difference between her own physique and a full grown woman. The masters (40+)
didn’t have anyone. However in the (35-39) category LaDonna Montgomery going uncontested earned the
title and she was also awarded the masters female figure overall title.
Continued beauties (figure open athletes) came out next. Just like in the past, these women collectively
were some of the best, this contest has ever seen. Five figure athletes made the division and there were
4 short and 1 tall. In the short class and placing 3rd was newcomer teenage Sarah VanWassenhnova. In
2nd place and making it very close was Army Captain Lisa Nieman. In the two rounds Lisa received a total
of 5 first place votes. She gave it all she had however 1st place went out to the beautiful and lovely Ashley
McCuen from Arlington, VA. Ashley is as gorgeous as they come. In the women tall and placing first was
crossover LaDonna Montgomery. When the two LaDonna and Ashley locked horns the fight was on. As
close as I thought this would be the judges didn’t think so and made the poise, eloquent LaDonna a
unanimous winner! We are expecting LaDonna to after her Pro Card in 2010! “Look out Justice Starr!”
In the masters (40+) women there were three and they looked good. 3rd place went to Kim Thumel out of
Virginia Beach, VA, 2nd place was earned by Freda Cothran, Sprout Spring, VA. Freda has an awesome
amount of muscle and with some more conditioning preparation she’ll be the gal to beat. However, the
champion and first place went to Lynn Bridges of Cumberland, Maryland. Lynn presented the total
package according to the feedback received from the judges. Masters (35-39) winner Heather Bell,
Richmond, VA was the uncontested winner. When Bell and Bridges met for the overall title this was Bridges
night and she unanimously got the decision. In the women open division, each athlete represented a class
for first place; Lynn won the lightweight (under 115) Kim Thumel represented the middleweight class
(115 to under 130) and Freda represented the heavyweight class (130+). When all the smoked cleared
pretty much the same results Lynn Bridges would win the title and also earned the female best poser
award.
In the open men division lightweight (under 165) 2nd place went to Zack Harper and the winner was New
Kent, VA’s Donnie Ladd. In the middleweight (165 to under 185) there was 3rd place finisher; Mustafa Khan,
2nd place finisher Herman Gaskins, and the winner was 1st place Kyle Montgomery who also was awarded
the male best poser. In the light heavyweight (185 to under 200) Out of 6 the top three was; 3rd place
finisher Randy Dodge, 2nd place finisher Solomon Agyeman, and your winner was Rob Standley. The one
lone heavyweight (200+) belonged to Garrison Pollard from Prince George, VA. When the posedown took
place amongst the four class winners and all the smoke cleared Rob Standley was clearly the man. He
was a unanimous winner and now we await Rob to go after the National title in which we hope to see him
compete in July for his Pro eligibility. This show will be in his back yard Burlington, North Carolina at the
Paramount theater, “The NPA Nationals.”
The show was well represented and supported by the fans, families and friends. This time they came from
Maryland, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia and Canada. Also special recognition go out to our top
female Pro athletes Justin Paylor, Veronica ,Paylor and our top male Pro athlete Jerry Garner for their fine
performances as guest posers.They did a fantastic job! The three were second to none and will be honored
at the 5th annual NPA banquet on 12/6/09.
Special thanks also go out to: Head Judge, Stephan Kitchen, Judges: Troy Crawley, Toni Johnson, JW Hicks,
Gloria Knight-McNeil, Rodney Barnes, Arlessa Gray, Randy “Big Arms” Batts, Chief Secretary, Minnie Nolan,
Statistician Valerie Foster, Soundman; Danny Wright, Expediter; Ron Smock-McCarthy Contest
Administrators Michael Stewart, Treasurer, Rochelle Silas, the Hopewell High School administration and
Ms. Betty Ware./Harry E. Silas
Additional pictures can be viewed on www.Robertthomasphotography.com
links/photo flex/NPA 2009 Tri-Cities “Regional”
