1999 NPC Texas State (Fitness)
By -jabber



There were only four competitors total in Fitness (shucks, I love those
shows with 80+ competitors - ha!).  Only one entrant in the short class and
three in the tall class signifies to me what we all know:  they grow 'em
taller in Texas. :-)

Short Fitness Woman:

I'd never seen this former fbb in person, but Diana Monti appeared quite
muscular and well-developed for this show and levels way higher.  Diana,
formerly a "skinny blonde", had fluffy reddish hair, easily the best body in
fitness, nice abs, this former fbb had it together.  If only she had some
competition here!

Tall Fitness Women:

Again, I didn't boo (I was still in the -jabber polite mode from last week
in South Padre), but I was hoping Timna Villarreal (yes, the first name is
Timna, she told me personally) would do better than last week (when she was
announced 5th in a class of 5).  I figured Dallas certainly wouldn't have
any bias against blondes like South Padre may have (as the top 4 were all
brunette there), but Timna was announced last, or 3rd place.

Unfortunately, although still very attractive, tan, tall, etc., the cute
small-breasted Ms. Villarreal looked a bit softer and not quite as muscular
in the legs as she did a scant week ago.  But her music went over well
without the technical difficulties she experienced last weekend.

In 2nd was Kathy Nelson, a tall blonde, thinnish, but with decent abs.  She
had a somewhat more energetic routine than Timna but not as captivating (all
eyes were on stage when Timna was there).  Although in the tall class, Kathy
came out right after Diana Monti (of the short class), no class delineation,
so compared to Ms. Monti, I wasn't that impressed.

In 1st was the only really, pardon my opinionatedness, bone-headed decision
of the night.  Audra Pollard was an attractive black fitness competitor.
Not in great shape though, she appeared softer than Timna (who wasn't that
hard for this show).  Plus in her routine, she actually seemed to lose it a
bit on one flip.  Luckily, she didn't get injured and kept good composure
through this, but still and all, why did the judges award her 1st?

Luckily, in the overall, Diana Monti kicked her butt resoundingly (and
would've won against ANY of the tall competitors that evening).  It wasn't
until the evening gown round and stand-around-down (fitness version of a
posedown, term coined by Mr. GeneX) that I realized something I just usually
ignore.  Both Ms. Monti and Ms. Pollard had breast augmentation, Audra's
being quite large.  

Now I sure as HELL hope that didn't enter in the judging criteria...

I talked to 3rd place (and cute blonde Hispanic) Timna Villarreal after the
show (she started the conversation, I didn't want to talk to her - ha!).  I
wasn't trying to brown-nose her, but I told her she had stiffer competition
last weekend, I expected her to get the tall class (but lose to Diana Monti
in the overall).  She said she thought Kathy Nelson (2nd place) should've
gotten it, but didn't understand Audra's placing.  She said the judges
suggested she come in a bit harder and incorporate more strength moves in
her routine - their advice to her, which she solicited.  

But to sum things up she added, "But I'm only 20".  Ah, would've liked to
talk to her more, but 1) her boyfriend seemed to be getting a bit antsy and
2) my friend seemed to not mind this conversation ending. :-)