1999 NPC Teen-Collegiate-Masters Championships
July 23-24, 1999 | Pittsburgh, PA | Promoter: Gary Udit

Lou Messina/East Coast Muscle
The core of all bodybuilding competitions has always been the open men's division. So I never understood the premise of this show. This year, we received some requests to check it out.

As far as what we saw, man-o-man-alive were we impressed. Most shows run long with a short intense focus on one division. People arrive late, leave early, and take frequent breaks. In this show, the focus is on the teens, collegiates, and masters. It attracts the best athletes in these divisions. This allows the audience to focus on the entire competition. The core of this event runs non-stop for the length of the show.

The venue was large enough to accommodate the sponsor booths set up around and behind the seating area. This proved to work well because it allowed any visitor to break when needed without missing the show. It also allowed the show to go without an intermission, getting everyone out at a comfortable time.

MEN'S TEEN DIVISION
Overall: Zeb Stewart, TX

Lightweight (up to 154¼ lbs)

  1. Michael Castelgrande, WV
Michael Castelgrande came in looking well-balanced and tight. As is the usual advice to all bodybuilders, especially teens and lightweights, some more mass should be the next focus. He had a good overall physique that was impressive for a teen lightweight. Michael is 19 years old, 148#.

Middleweight (over 154¼ to 176¼ lbs)

  1. Zeb Stewart, TX
  2. Raul Feliciano, FL
  3. James Kelly, PA
  4. John Kopchak, MI
  5. Victor Dean, NY
  6. Joe McKenny, MD
  7. Brian Johnson, NY
  8. Patrick McDaniel, VA
  9. Jeff Huber, PA
  10. Jerry Neria, CA
Zeb Stewart had total control of the middleweight class, getting straight first place votes from all judges (5 points). He showed impressive muscularity and thickness, especially in his legs and glutes. Zeb came into the show at 19 years, 5'8," 172#. He is a full-time student. He also took first place in the teen division at the Ronnie Coleman Classic.

When James Kelly took the stage, it was obvious how strong a competitor he was. He had excellent fullness to each muscle, especially in his deltoids, pecs, and biceps. These three muscle groups were in contrast to a tight hard waist. Everything was in good balance. He was one point out of second place. Jim is a 19 year-old college student. He came in at 5'6", 166#. Earlier this year, he took the open middleweight class at the NPC Muscle Beach Classic.

Equally impressive was John Kopchak who came in one point behind Jim. John came out with good size and roundness to his muscles. His muscle bellies were full and thick. He had everything in perfect balance. John is 19 years old and weighed in at 174#. He was impressive and should compete next year.

Joe McKenny had a good pleasing look, especially in the first position of the relaxed round. His abs were full and separated. He had good roundness to his deltoids. His traps jumped up. His double-biceps completed an impressive upper body presentation. Joe's problem was in his height. He is a tall 5'11" which may sound ideal, but he was one of the tallest, if not the tallest, in his class. Taller bodybuilders have a harder time filling out the muscles and getting them to deepen. Although taller bodybuilders are more impressive, they have to work harder to get the necessary size and mass. Everything seems to fall OK on Joe. He needs to stick with it and put on more mass, especially in his lower body. He still looks impressive when he suits up for work as a lifeguard. Joe is a 19 year old college student. He weighed in at 173#. His last show was the Mr. Annapolis Bodybuilding Championships, where he took the teen medium class. If Joe sticks with it, and gets more intense in his workouts (i.e. low reps to failure), he should be unbelievable next year. Definite great potential here.

Light-Heavyweight (over 176¼ to 198¼ lbs)

  1. Jared Tucker, LA
  2. Durrell Lewis, NY
  3. Zack Barnard, TX
  4. Kyle Blanco, TX
  5. Carlos Samarriba, MD
  6. Adam Brendelson, AL
  7. Jay Smith, VA
  8. James Aducci, WI
Jared Tucker was one of the most impressive bodybuilders of the show. He came in with good fullness and shape. The muscles were in impressive balance, giving him a very aesthetic look. The abs were full, separated, and hard. He is comfortable onstage and apprears to go through his routine with no effort. This may well be because of his competitive history. Jared also won the 1998 Teenage Mr. America and the teen overall at the 1999 Louisiana Bodybuilding Championships. He is a 19 year old college student in nursing. He came in at 185#. Jared will be in the Collegiate Division next year.

Breathing down Jared's neck was Durrell Lewis, who came in just one point behind. Durrell's strong point was the impressive thickness to his traps, delts, upper chest, and upper arms. You just don't see that in teen divisions. Durrell came in at 181#.

Kyle Blanco came in with good overall size and shape. His quads were particularly strong. Always smiling, he was comfortable on stage. Kyle needs some more hardening and tightening up in order to let his muscularity show through. He is 19 years old, 5'10", and weighed-in at 194#.

Heavyweight (over 198¼ lbs)

  1. Eric Armbruster, MI
  2. Zeke Samples, SC
Eric Armbruster may have the best potential in the teen division. He's an unbelievable 6'4" 19 year old who came in at 220#. He has good balance between his height, waist, legs, and shoulder width. One weakness, which is typical for younger bodybuilders, was his pale color and poor tan distribution. Being pale makes it tougher for the judges to notice where muscles peak, and where separation occurs. Eric also looked slim. This is due to the length of his muscles. Because of his impressive height, he has to put in much more work to gain good mass and size. Eric is a college student and personal trainer. If Eric continues, he will become the type of awesome bodybuilder that audiences pay money to see. He's impressive and I hope he'll be here next year.

Just three points behind Eric was Zeke Samples. Zeke was an impressive package, of good balance and fullness. He had an overall look of pleasing symmetry and size. The only criticism here is Zeke needs to harden up. If he continues to grow and maintains his awesome balance, he's going to be unbelievable. Zeke was 221#.

MEN'S COLLEGIATE DIVISION
Overall: Jake Thrash, TN

Lightweight (up to 154¼ lbs)

  1. Michael Castelgrande, WV
Middleweight (over 154¼ to 176¼ lbs)
  1. Joe McKenny, MD
Light-Heavyweight (over 176¼ to 198¼ lbs)
  1. Jake Thrash, TN
  2. Durrell Lewis, NY
  3. Matt Tallman, PA
  4. Carlos Samarriba, MD
  5. Adam Brendelson, AL
  6. James Adducci, WI
With a name like Jake Thrash you'd think you were talking about an action hero, and that's exactly what Jake looks like. He dominated the entire collegiate division. He got across-the-board first place votes in his class. He swells to good size in each of the muscle groups. Together with his awesome hardness, he was impressive. Jake should continue to deepen his muscles, particularly in his upper chest and calves. He is a 26 year old, 5'10" personal trainer who came in at 198#. He also took first place in the novice heavyweight class of the Georgia State Championships.

Heavyweight (over 198¼ lbs)

  1. Charles Arde, CA
  2. Tom Ostrander, MI

MEN'S MASTERS 40+ DIVISION
Overall: Hans Hopstaken, CA

Lightweight (up to 154¼ lbs)

  1. David Seager, MD
  2. Steve Brigham, CA
Middleweight (over 154¼ to 176¼ lbs)
  1. Reggie Williams, DC
  2. Glen Borah, IL
  3. Stephen Clendenin, OH
  4. Steve Lee, NY
  5. Rick Bolton, WA
  6. Chris Dixon, NC
  7. Joe Bastardi, PA
Light-Heavyweight (over 176¼ to 198¼ lbs)
  1. Walter Smith, OH
  2. Jim Hampton
  3. Bradley Potts, IN
  4. Alton Ned, LA
  5. Jim Butler, TX
  6. Scott Cohen, NY
  7. Rickey Howell
  8. Glenn Adkins, KY
  9. Daniel Smith, VA
  10. Stephen Dodge, MD
  11. Dominick Busti, MI
  12. Randy Coldiron, IN
  13. Gary Ehrman, PA
  14. Tim Bowers, NC
  15. Jim Morgenstern, OH
Jim Hampton was a late entry to the show. He had a good thick look to his legs. His torso looked hard and chiseled. Jim could focus on some more depth, particularly the pecs, and coming in with a darker tan. Overall though, this guy is impressive.

Heavyweight (over 198¼ to 225¼ lbs)

  1. Hans Hopstaken, CA
  2. Anthony Campagne, NY
  3. Carl Spera, FL
  4. Ondra Galloway, WA
  5. Nate Williams, MI
  6. Mike Ferguson, OH
Super-Heavyweight (over 225¼ lbs)
  1. Bruce Thompson, DE
  2. Jack Wadsworth, WA
  3. Ed Wolowiec, NY
If you were looking for the big guys that traditionally get a lot of attention, this was the class. Bruce Thompson has about 50 competitions under his belt. Bruce's strong point is his upper body, especially his biceps which are long and thick. He needs to put a little more size into his legs. He's really impressive though, especially in person. He and his wife, Annie, host a TV show in Delaware called Muscle/Fitness Forum. Bruce is a 41 year old physical education teacher. He came in at 227#.

Jack Wadsworth really stands out when he takes the stage. He has the all-important traits of great muscle thickness and symmetry. Impressive full round delts are balanced with thick traps, deep pecs, and full calves. He needs to come in a little tighter. If he can do that without losing his impressive thickness, he'll make it to the Masters Olympia. Jack is 45 years old, 6'1", and 233#.

MEN'S MASTERS 50+ DIVISION
Overall: Robert Caltabiano PA

Lightweight (up to 176¼ lbs)

  1. Robert Caltabiano, PA
  2. David Seager, MD
  3. Mickey Glenn, NY
Heavyweight (over 176¼ lbs)
  1. Bob McMahon, PA
  2. Joe Sasso, FL
  3. James Lill, NY
  4. Steve White, TN
  5. Geno Johnson, CA
  6. Ken Moore, MS
  7. Jim Davidson, TX
  8. Tony Jiorle, PA
  9. Jeff Connelly, PA
When Bob McMahon came onstage, that was when I started saying "Holy shit.....I NEVER looked that good!" Bob had a good thick balance to his physique. He's 52 years old, 5'8," and came in at 189#. He also competed in the 1999 Pennsylvania Bodybuilding Championships, where he won the masters 40+ division and the open lightheavy class.

MEN'S MASTERS 60+ DIVISION

  1. John Murray, OH
  2. Max Pope, OR
  3. Don Len, NY
  4. Jappy Dickson, TX
And get a load of this guy. John Murray at 61 years old, had impressive hard abs that the teens couldn't match!. His upper body was full and tight. He was really comfortable onstage and had a good time.

WOMEN'S TEEN DIVISION
  1. Alisha Joyce, OH
  2. Beth Moguin, VT

WOMEN'S COLLEGIATE DIVISION

Middleweight (over 118 lbs to 132 lbs)

  1. Jill Kolivoski, OH
Heavyweight (over 132 lbs)
  1. Gina Anderson-Sayegh, CA

WOMEN'S MASTERS 35+ DIVISION
Overall: Carmen Brady, CA

Lightweight (up to 118 lbs)

  1. Valerie Barnett, IN
  2. Rita Kaya, OH
  3. Karen Howe, VA
  4. Susan Young, OR
  5. Diane Erwin, OH
Middleweight (over 118 to 132 lbs)
  1. Diane Mumfero, NC
  2. Diane Best, MD
Heavyweight (over 132 lbs)
  1. Carmen Brady, CA
  2. Tina Weber, WV
  3. Marcia Ferguson, OH
  4. Kim Henson, NM
  5. Darnell Engholm, CO

WOMEN'S MASTERS 50+ DIVISION
  1. Muriel Brewer, VA
  2. Alonda Moer, IL

WOMEN'S FITNESS DIVISION
Overall: Pam Hellman, PA

Short Class (up to 5'3")

  1. Pam Hellman, PA
  2. Staci Wyatt, PA
  3. Sara Parker
  4. Charlene Tissenbaum, PA
  5. Sarah Kovah
  6. Sarah Dunlap, PA
Tall Class (over 5'3")
  1. Sheri Orlando, PA
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