2009 NPC Empire Classic!
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
Check out Bodybuilding.com’s full contest coverage from this competition right here.
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2009 NPC Empire Classic Results. Check out the results from the 2009 NPC Empire Classic contest here. |
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2009 NPC Empire Classic Check out the pictures of the 2009 NPC Empire Classic. See pictures of contestants, crowds and competition! [ 2009 NPC Empire Classic Photos ] [ Men ] |
2009 Empire Classic Lights Up the Lilac City
By: Mark Mason
Haley’s comet was just one of the several highlights that descended upon Spokane at this year’s Empire Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships. IFBB Pro Marcus Haley hit the stage like a super nova and delivered a celestial display of neo-classic posing that probably hasn’t been seen since the last time he streaked into town.
Another highlight during the evening was the stellar performance by Paula Williams-Gulman. The soon-to-be IFBB fitness pro blasted off like a Saturn V Rocket and orbited the stage at warp speed unleashing blasts of dance, gymnastics, and feats strength and flexibility that only served to further ignite the already roaring spectators.
In the women’s figure classes forty competitors presented themselves in four classes. Women’s master winner, Susan Pavel, came to Spokane not only in better condition but with a much better presentation then she did a month previously at the Vancouver show. Second and third place went to Heidi Martinez and Jennifer Knox. Both Martinez and Knox were in great shape and looked every bit a winner.
In the women’s short class Montanan Jeanni Higgins traveled up from Bozeman to narrowly defeat Jacey Bourne and Maria Ramos. Higgins, who is one of Kimberly Agnew’s protégés, came on very strong at the Empire Classic only one week after her first competition at the 09 Emerald Cup.
In the figure medium class the time was right for Lauri Faraschuk. Faraschuk has been knocking hard at the door and in 2009 things swung her way. Second place went to Connie Potter-Frame and the number three spot to Leah Mckinnies.
Tall class winner Tonee White came from Post Falls to defeat fellow Idahoan Sonja Miles as well as Yakima gal Lindsey Woodkey.
The figure overall got down to a three-way battle between Higgins, Faraschuk, and White. As MC Kim Farrison took the ladies through several rounds of quarter turns the judging panel worked frantically assessing the three competitors. After several long moments Farrison declared Lauri Faraschuk the 2009 Empire Classic overall figure champions. What made Faraschuk’s victory even more extraordinary was the fact that she given birth to a baby girl only nine months previously.
The Empire Classic masters bodybuilding brought two-dozen phenomenal competitors together to vie for three classes. In the men over forty it was big dog from Manchester, England by way of Everett, Washington, Colin Hill that took home the first place trophy and the eventual overall. Jon Decker from Hamilton, Montana walked away with second place and an overjoyed Jon Leon placed third.
The over fifty men was one of the best battles of the evening. Comeback Kid Lanny Billings brought the best physique of his competitive career to stage. Billings retuned after a year layoff recovering from heart surgery. City slicker Terry Burns out flanked county boy Jerry Burger in a great showdown for the second and third place award. Local favorite Sirosy Borja barely out ran the sword wielding Charlie Brown for forth place.
Masters women winner Teresa Maine ended her twenty-year competitive career with a victory over the always energetic Allison Clerc. Barb Sater placed third. Maine has continued to be a familiar face on Northwest stages after overcoming several health issues that would have stopped lesser people in their tracks. Maine will not be long forgotten nor will her inspiration to others wane soon.
Women’s lightweight winner and eventual overall champion Molly Waters traveled down from Valdez, Alaska to defeat the likes of Kris Pitcher, Geraldine Tiniacos, and Ann Gannon. All of the lightweights were in great shape and presented original posing routines.
In the women’s heavyweight it was Evelynn Johnston beating out Nancy Kelford for the number one spot. A once again an overlooked Peggy Willis was relegated to third and Lisa O’Kelly fourth.
The open men’s division boasted some great regional talent. Beginning with lightweight winner Mike Hernandez. Hernandez’s improvement from one year ago is nothing short of exceptional. Newcomer Shawn Joy placed second to a very conditioned Kevin Peterson who rounded out third.
Middleweights Ted Perry and Mike Lefave presented two of the most dissimilar physiques of the evening. Perry was thick with deep muscle bellies and Lefave was taller and sleeker with classical symmetry. Both were in great shape. As usual in the sport of bodybuilding it came down to subjectivity. The majority of the judges preferred Perry’s thick and rugged look. Following Lefave was Aaron Hacker in third place.
2007 Empire Classic overall winner Wayne Green blew by second place Kevin Roll and third place Mitch Moncur to take the light-heavyweight trophy. Both Roll and Moncur looked great but were no match for the grainy look of Green.
Heavyweight first place award went to a very thick Rich Palmer. We are yet to see Palmer hit peak condition. It is only a matter of time before he does. When that time comes Palmer will be dangerous. The tall man Austin Cunningham won second place by beating out Pennsylvanian Troy Climmons.
As the open men lined up for the overall the judges began their arduous task of comparing four highly competitive athletes. As Farrison called the mandatory poses it became apparent that the decision was between Ted Perry and Wayne Green. The question to be answered was would Green repeat or Perry defeat.
After a spirited posedown and a long tension-building pause by Kim Farrison Ted Perry was declared the 2009 overall Empire Classic winner. In a great display of sportsmanship Wayne Green was the first to congratulate his nemesis on the victory.
It has been promoters Ivan Ribic and Paul Hughes’ dogged persistence and steadfast belief that has brought the Empire Classic from its modest beginnings at Shadle Park High School to its national prominence at the Northern Quest Casino. It is the Ribic/Hughes partnership along with their collaboration with Valley Fitness’ Chris White that has taken the Classic to the heights that it has reached. Now the trio announced a new production, The Northwest Night of the Champions, to be held the weekend of September 26th. It will be the place to be.
Post by: Donlon
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