Pro/Am Contests Blog

The IFBB Keystone Pro Classic was held in conjunction with the NPC Lehigh Valley Bodybuilding and Figure Championships for the first time this Saturday. In conjunction with the show, there was an expo with about 25 different vendors, held at Lehigh University’s Stabler Arena. The show was split into two sessions with morning pre-judging and evening competition. I arrived around 2:30 PM after having gotten lost in and around, and even on, Lehigh’s campus. Unfortunately, I showed up just as they were closing for the morning. I was told the doors would open again at 4:30 PM. I managed to catch a glimpse of Johnnie Jackson and Branch Warren relaxing outside soaking up the sun. When I got back I checked out some of the vendors, picked up a few supplement samples, and even met Toney Freeman and professional wrestler Mick Foley.

Since this was my first bodybuilding event, I only purchased the cheap seats; however, the arena was far from filled and I ended up moving to the floor. I didn’t really know what to expect, as I had never even seen a posing routine aside from those featured in Pumping Iron. The show started around 6:30 PM with several of the women’s categories. They first competed with the one piece and later on moved to the two piece. The show then moved on to the men’s categories. I was particularly impressed with the men’s novice category in which there were some young teen competitors who already had great physiques. What astonished me even more though were the men’s masters categories (above 40, 50, and even 60). There were few competitors in this category, but the determination and conditioning of these individuals was inspiring. I hope that when I’m that age I can look as good as they did on stage. There was a man in the over 60 category who had undergone double bypass surgery and was still competing. Hearing his story and seeing him compete was amazing.  

The biggest issue I had with the event was the lack of coordination and planning. First off, there was no event schedule. Having not been to an event of this type before, I didn’t know when each event was supposed to take place. Also, there were few explanations given for the different categories. The MC several times stalled on announcing the next competitor or announced the wrong competitor. This happened several times even during the pro show, with him announcing competitors from the wrong country on occasion. Speaking of the pro show… this was what I had waited all night for. And wait we did. They took a break between the Lehigh valley competition and the pro show, and then again took a break after all of the individual competitors did their routines and announcing the winner. All in all, the show ended sometime around 10 PM or later.

But back to the action, the pros showed exactly why they deserve to be called pros. Not only did they all possess gargantuan physiques, they also exuded showmanship. The night began with Dennis Wolf and ended with him taking the title. In between however, I found some of the best highlights which I will share with you all. Music choice played an integral part as different tempos and styles added to the personalities of the competitors. Tricky Johnson gave perhaps one of the most entertaining performances of the night, complete with sunglasses, popping and locking and some other smooth dance moves. His routine may have been more dance and entertainment than posing though. Darrem Charles’ routine was also in the same vein. Trevor Crouch from England wowed the crowd with his massive lat spread. Branch Warren looked very good coming off of his win at the NY pro event. Kai Greene put on a very unique show with moves like a headstand pose and even the worm.

Overall, I thought this was a good experience. I was impressed by the conditioning of both the amateurs and professionals, and I was finally able to experience first hand what bodybuilding is all about. Going to an event like this also helps promote a sense of community that perhaps is lacking during one’s own day to day workouts. Coming out of this, I have a greater appreciation for the people who are part of this sport and it made me want to concentrate harder on attaining my own goals. Who knows, perhaps one day I’ll step on stage? Regardless, I encourage anyone in the tri-state area to go to this event next year if you have the time and support the people who are doing this locally, for fun, as well as for a profession.

- Andrew “Segansational” Segan

I survived my first competition! Yay! I didn’t place in the top 5, but that never dampened my spirits. I worked so hard to get to this point, and I’m very proud of myself for stepping out onto that stage. All the competitors were SOOOOOO friendly, and I want to congratulate each and every one of them for all their hard work and dedication…and of course, congrats to all the winners. You all deserved it.

Backstage was a combination of posing, tanning, oiling, pumping and lighthearted conversation. We were all so exhausted from being dehydrated, but yet we all still had our sense of humor! I’ll never forget the experience…it was definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. And it won’t be the last….Mountain Valley (November 2007), here I come!

Erica Osting

Dennis Wolf was the deserved winner at the Keystone Classic. The shock was Desmond Miller placing in the top 5, at least to me, not to mention placing SECOND. I had Kai Greene in second all the way.

A few pics from tonight’s show:

The 1st Annual Keystone Pro is now history, and the results are now in.

Your winners are:

1. Dennis Wolf!!
2. Desmond Miller
3. Kai Greene*
4. Branch Warren
5. Silvio Samuel Saviour
6. Darrem Charles
7. Craig Richardson
8. George Farah
9. Johnnie O. Jackson
9. Brian Chamberlain
*qualifies for the 2007 Mr. Olympia Contest!

Question: is Silvio Samuel going to place 5th in every contest this year or what…???  LOL

Visit: http://www.flexonline.com/news/213 for Allan Donnelly’s story and my photos of the Keystone Classic. I’d have Dennis Wolf winning it with Kai Greene in second, however I suck at the men’s predictions so it will probably be Branch Warren and Darrem Charles taking one and two. HA!

A couple photos from the prejudging:

Here are my top 6 predictions for the show after the prejudging.

Branch Warren
Dennis Wolf
Darrem Charles
Silvio Samuel
Kai Greene
Desmond Miller

(In no particular order.)

WW

I’m in Allentown, PA covering the Keystone Classic for FLEX magazine. The flights were fairly uneventful aside from being 300 degrees in the little puddle jumper from Philly to Allentown. I’ll be grabbing breakfast and heading over to prejudging to photograph the pro men’s event. Editor-in-chief of FLEX Magazines, Peter McGough, has confirmed that Dennis James is sitting out the Keystone Classic to regroup for next week’s Colorado Pro show. (Yes, Richard your Getbig info was right this time.)

I haven’t seen anyone but the MuscleTime crew and the owner of FlexFlix.com - Millard Baker and his family. I’ll be updating everyone here later today on the show.

If you’re at the show come up and say hello - I’m the dork in the bodybuilding.com black polo shirt with LIFT STUDIOS hat on, in the press pit.

HOLLA

Wow what a week!  I have definitely learned alot,  such as I didn’t drop my water enough last weekend and carbed up too much too fast and didnt quite spill over but I think I looked puffy.  Even so I placed third in my class and the judges had some great feedback including that I was the only one who really knew how to pose (Thank you Tracey G!)  The two girls who placed ahead of me were definitely smaller (not to mention about 20 years younger) so this week I have hardly carbed up at all and I hit cardio hard Sun-Wed to try and come into this weekends show a little smaller and a lot tighter.  I also will not be carbing up as much tomorrow and will cut out water Sat AM before prejudging.

Tracey’s show was phenomenal with very high caliber athletes participating and the head judge for the show was actually a IFBB judge who will be judging the men at this weekends Keystone Pro.  It was great to get his feedback and he was VERY strict about posing for figure girls - no twisting on side quarter turns,  arms at sides relaxed, just to mention a few so it was great to get the inside scoop of what they are looking for at the national level.  I am looking forward to this weekends show it should be a phenomenal event!  This is the same promoters who put on the Mt Valley show that I competed in last year and they do a fantastic job.  WISH ME LUCK and THANKS to everyone for the kind words and encouragement!!:)

Two weeks after the NY Pro, comes another pro show. Will the competitors who are peaking for this show fare better than the ones who peaked for the NY Pro.. Hmm… well, here is who I think will place in the top ten.

1. Dennis Wolf - it is his time
2. Dennis James - bigger and fuller
3. Darrem Charles - lets go!
4. Branch Warren - huge!
5. Silvio Samuel - will only get better
6. Johnnie Jackson - powerlifter beware
7. Desmond Miller - can he sustain
8. Kai Green - best routine in the house
9. George Farah - welcome
10. Craig Richardson - cool like that

Well, for once Lisa’s and Isaac’s predictions don’t stink.  LOL, J/K.

Here are my top picks* for this weekend:

Keystone Pro:

1. Dennis Wolf
2. Silvio Samuel Saviour
3. Johnnie O. Jackson
4. Darrem Charles
5. Kai Greene
6. Branch Warren
7. Desmond Miller
8. Leo Ingram
9. Craig Richardson
10. George Farah

California Pro:

1. Sonia Adcock
2. Chastity Sloane
3. Pauline Nordin
4. Juliana Malacarne
5. Zhanna Rotar

Muscle Beach (Memorial Day):

1.  Chris LaCascia
1.  Adam Kirby
1.  Tracy Guarino

(Each will win their own respective division/weight class, LOL.)

*Subject to change at a moment’s notice!

Well allow me to be the first one an get crazy with this weekends predictions.

I was a lil off last time cuz my peoples decided not to attend the NY Pro. Poopheads. So lets try again…..

IFBB Keystone Pro
1. Branch Warren - cuz come on, he jus won the NY Pro like 2 weeks ago.
2. Dennis James
3. Darrem Charles
4. Desmond Miller
5. Johnnie O

IFBB California Pro
(i always have a harder time with figure)
1. Sonia Adcock
2. Chastity Slone
3. Nicole Pitcher-Scott
4. Zhanna Rotar
5. Pauline Nordine

aaaaaaaaand…….GAME ON!

My first competition EVER is in 4 days…and counting. I’m in the sodium loading/2 gallons of water per day phase at the moment. Tomorrow evening starts my carb-load (which I’m REALLY looking forward to). To say I’m nervous is an understatement. But my excitement level is also at a peak. Sometimes I wonder why I chose to do one of the largest comps in the Northeast as my first. But then I think about it…the competition should be fierce. And that’s more of what I want. I don’t WANT a small competition where I’m the only one in my height class (I’ve seen it happen), so I win by default. Where’s the fun in that? Yeah, you have a trophy…but you really never know if you had the physique to actually win against other women. I’ve seen some of my competition (for my height class), and I’m eager to get up on that stage to show off all my hard work and dedication.

Yes, there have been cheats to my diet (gasp), and there were days I wondered if I really had the nerve to take it this far.  But I’ve come this far…my body is going through some wonderful transformations. I’m loving every moment. I get to be the "tough girl", as well as feel GLAMOROUS at the same time. What a rush. This whole experience has made me realize that THIS is what I’d really love to do with my life. I need to get out of the career rut I’m in. No longer does graphic design interest me….Fitness is my one true love…and really HAS been for the past 14 years or so.

So now I push for my pro-card someday. That is my dream. And who knows…maybe Lehigh will help me get there. I want to wish ALL the competitors the BEST of luck. And I’ll see you all there. We’re all winners, no matter what, because we live the dream.

Erica Osting

This is tough line up. My top 10.

1. Darrem Charles
2. Dennis Wolf
3. Dennis James
4. Branch Warren
5. Silvio Samuel
6. Desmond Miller
7. Johnnie Jackson
8. Kai Greene
9. Craig Richardson
10. George Farah

The following tentative pro competitor’s list is courtesy of keystoneproclassic.com, as of 5/24/07:

2007 IFBB KEYSTONE PRO CLASSIC
May 26, 2007
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Johnnie O. Jackson
Darrem Charles
Dennis James (not competing according to Shawn Ray on Getbig)
Ed Van Amsterdam
Khalid Almohsinawi
Dennis Wolf
Leo Ingram
Tricky Jackson
Desmond Miller
Brian Chamberlain
Craig Richardson
Gennaro Brigante
Silvio Samuel Saviour
Kai Greene
George Farah
Branch Warren
Trever Crouch

More info here:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2007keystone_main.htm

So yesterday was my final cardio for a few days - yeah!  and everyone thinks I am crazy but after days of NO CARBS dry oatmeal tastes REALLY good!   Today I feel like I am spending most of the day in the bathroom courtesy of dandelion root (available here on bodybuilding.com (http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/dande.html), but it is amazing to watch your skin tighten up.  Since I am doing the two shows back to back - the NPC Tracey Greenwood and the Keystone/Lehigh the following weekend I don’t get to go overboard with the water depleting or the carbing up so it will be interesting.  Nor do I get to have the much anticipated celebratory meal after this weeks show - it will have to wait one more week!

I have learned so much working with Tracey Greenwood and I feel like I have made huge improvements in the past 6 months, especially for a 43 year old!  (I love that no one can belive how old I am - just proves that it is never too late to make improvements to your physique and your health!) Tracey is refreshingly honest and open and doesn’t only tell you what you want to hear - she tells you the truth which is sometimes uncomfortable but I truly think it is the only way to improve!  She also has a PHD so I trust her nutritional advice completely.

I think it is so interesting to see how different body types respond so differently to carbs and fats - some of the lucky girls can eat peanut butter and cottage cheese pre-contest - but I make myself feel better by telling myself that these same girls have trouble putting on muscle.  I was comiserating with National level figure competitor Charmaine Davis who also trains with Tracey at posing practice last night.  She looks amazing and has been doing really well at shows this year - and like me has to stick with the dry oats for her pre-contest carbs - at least I am in good company!