Highlights from the contest:
2009 Fall Classic Bodybuilding & Fitness/Figure Championships
24 October 2009/Saturday
VSU, Virginia Hall, Anderson-Turner Auditorium, Petersburg, VA 23806
This year’s NPA Fall Classic was again small but continued to packed a punch. The show was designed to
assist the Pro show. It is also a very good show for those who have never won or feel they are ready to
take their first test. The NPA team arrived at VSU around 8:45 am to meet the event coordinator. The
advance party arrived the night before and sat up the venue. However, minor adjustments were still made to
complete the venue. JW Hicks (head judge) organized his team and under the direction of NPA’s President
Harry Silas sat the registration area up. Once they got started things lasted till noon. Hicks went on to
conduct his athlete’s briefing and went over the formality of the contest. Prejudging started at 1 pm sharp
and approximately 100(+) fans supported the first half of the event.
The first time ever NPA Pro Figure division athlete’s started the action. Justin Starr, from Hillsborough NC
earned 6 first place votes of the 7 judge’s score in round one. She also did the same in round 2 and only 4
in round 3. However, at the end of the night she was the clear winner over second place finisher Dena Banks
from Chesterfield VA. Dena did manage to earn a total of 3 first place votes, one in each round. She also
earned a total of 6 third place votes in the three rounds. Dena looked great as did all the contestants. The
general consensus though is that 5-7 more pounds would give her a fuller look which would be a plus to her
gorgeous presence. After all this is figure and not bodybuilding. Lori Rawleigh from Fredericksburg bought
plenty of shape and size just needs a little more conditioning and she will be a greater threat to the title.
She did earn one first place vote in round three.
The men’s amateur lightweight novice was the next class to be called up. Jamaal Gray from Lynchburg VA
presented a symmetrical harmonious package. He looked as if he was going to win at least according to one
of the judges. His lone competitor Miles Baker from West Point VA did not have great symmetry, but he
was the most conditioned athlete seen on stage since Paul Bates. Miles even though 54 years old was
unbelievably hard. No one in the contest was going to match his condition. Six of the seven judges supported
this fact. The men heavyweight class featured police officer Jason Embler from West End NC. He was the
lone contestant who later went onto the finals against Miles Baker. After all the smoked cleared Miles was
crowned the overall novice champion.
In the men masters (50+) Miles Baker represented the division. The (40-49) Rick Manago from
Wood bridge VA and deputy sheriff was the lone contestant this year. This lead to a show down between
he and Miles and again Miles conditioning did it for him.
The Masters figure another new event added to the program was next to be called. There were only two
and they both look good. However Angie Stoher from Church Rd, VA made a great improvement from her
last performance in North Carolina. Deborah Brown from Moseley VA gave her a run but it was clear Angie
did her homework and went onto to win the Masters Figure title.
In the women open figure title and under 5’5” tall, United States Army Captain, West Point graduate,
airborne, and air assault qualified Lisa Nieman from Prince George VA clearly defeated Deborah Brown who
crossed over from the Masters figure to the open. The 5’5”(+) tall class was represented by Angie Stoher,
the Master’s champ who returned to challenge Lisa for the open title. This was a tough one for the judges
and when all the smoke cleared Lisa Nieman squeaked it out by one point. Congratulations go out to Lisa!
In the Masters (40+) female division there was only one. Her name was Randi Mack from Annandale VA
and she was feisty and full of excitement. Her conditioning was great. She was uncontested in the Masters
and went onto win her class and the overall title.
In the women open Randi returned to represent the lightweight class and she came out giving it all she had.
Then came the women middleweights which was led by Christy Lee-Carter from Burke Va who dominate 2nd
place finisher Krissie Zurik from Sandston VA. Zurik coloring was not applied properly and it streaked her and
put her at a disadvantage.
When Carter and Mack met in the overall it was a cat fight. Mack earned two 1st place votes. However,
Carter earned 5 first place votes and clearly demonstrated she had the best overall package for the night
according to the judges. She also earned the best female poser award.
The men open middleweight class featured three athletes, two of which had crossed over. Third place
finisher Jerry Martin was a unanimous vote by all seven judges, 2nd place Jamaal Gray did receive one
first place vote but it was clear that Miles Baker was the middleweight champion and was not going to be
denied. Miles did advance to the overall and defeated Rick Manago who won the Light heavyweight title
over Jason Embler. Manago earned the male best poser award. Miles Baker accomplished something
that has happen a few times in the NPA. Congratulations go out to him for this outstanding achievement,
not an easy task to accomplish!
Highlights from the contest:
2009 Pro Classic Bodybuilding Championships
24 October 2009/Saturday
VSU, Virginia Hall, Anderson-Turner Auditorium, Petersburg, VA 23806
After all the amateurs did their thing the Pros were bought out. Last year Pro show was the best the NPA
has ever presented. This year would not equal. However, the show went on. Veronica Paylor from Roxboro
NC was not in her best condition but she bought enough to defeat newcomer Karen Romer of Midlothian VA.
Both athletes represented their prospective sport well by being there to keep female bodybuilding alive.
We are certainly hoping that in the year 2010 we can qualify more participating female athletes at this
level. We have lots of room for ambitious drug – free female athletes. NPA’s Top Female Pro athlete of the
year award will be presented to Veronica Paylor on December 6, 2009 at the NPA 4TH annual banquet.
You could hear the cheers, yells, screams, cries of the fans, families, and friends who came out to support
their favorites. Roughly 300+ spectators in the audience sounded off meaning that The NPA Pro men had
arrived. Unlike last year the judges were all 100% in their placement of the men this year! First time for
everything! The returning champion Jerry Garner from Mebane NC was cramping real bad at times and
again he thought he was not going to be able to finish, which would have disqualified him from the
competition. He managed to stay in the hunt and captured his 2nd Professional consecutive title. 2nd place
finisher, and newcomer Yohance Fleming from Newport News VA was hard in his upper body but still needed to bring his quads up
to match. Once he does this he’ll be a greater threat to Garner. 3rd place was grabbed by Carl Frady III,
Newport News VA and earned his highest placement yet. 4th place was earned by a very good Steve
Hawkins from Spartanburg SC and 5th place went to 61 year old Davis Ainsley of Mechanicsville VA. On 6
December 2009 Davis will receive athlete of the year along with Jerry Garner who will be presented the
NPA’s Top Male Pro athlete of the year award.
I’d like to thank Head Judge JW Hicks, and his panel judges and officials; Narva Daniels, Arlessa Gray,
Randy “Big Arms” Batts, Rodney Barnes, Stephan Kitchen, and Tami Prager for their hard work and
dedication. Also special thanks go out to Rochelle Silas, Michael Stewart, Minnie Nolan, Robert Thomas,
Daniel Wright, Gloria Knight-McNeil, Mustafa Khan, Valerie Foster, Steve Hardy, Glen Starks, Toni Johnson,
Kerry Barnard, Ron Smock-McCarthy, Yourdonus James, the VSU administration and Anthony Hilton. Until
next time “keep on Pumpin”./Harry E. Silas/NPA President
Photos can be viewed at www.robertthomasphotgraphy.com.
Links, Photo Reflect, Fall/Pro Classic./Harry E. Silas
