A huge congratulations to all of my clients who did our team oh so proud at the
2011 NPC Sac Show! Historically, this is Northern California’s toughest NPC show and for the past few years it’s become an all out extravaganza with the addition of an IFBB Pro Men’s and Bikini division. We entered 7 team Fit Factory members in the Sac show this year, and walked away with a total of 12 trophies! I want to take a few sentences to highlight each of our team members who competed, but before I do, I’d like to thank John Tuman and Ted Williamson for continuing to put on the best show in our area, and Cassie Weitze (my sista from another mother) and
Phannary Pen (watch out figure competitors at the Nationals in Miami in 2 weeks, we’re getting that pro card!) for handling biz at our booth at the show.
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| TJ Taylor | William Nash |
We had two masters over 40 competitors, TJ Taylor (5th) and William Nash (3rd) , who also did the men’s Open category, TJ in the welterweights where he also placed 5th and William in the middleweights where he took 3rd in a class I thought he could have won (especially with better posing Will!). This was only TJ’s second show, and he made great improvements in conditioning from the San Jose in July. Being at the higher end of the age category (I’m not gonna put you out there any more than that TJ, lol), I am very proud of what he brought to the stage. He was simply out sized, definitely not out conditioned. William, my on again off again training partner has incredible muscle bellies and genetics, getting him hard and grainy enough to separate himself from the pack has been his achillies heel as of late. Will works long hours and has a very full family life all of which make the demands of contest dieting and preparation difficult, but if we could get him to dial it in like he did in 2009, he’d be tough to beat.
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| Phil DePrater | Art Ramirez |
Two of our crew did the men’s physique category. Phil DePrater, a Gracie jiu-jitsu black belt who I converted to bodybuilding a few years back. Phil seems to kick ass at whatever he chooses to do, and this year was no exception with the introduction of a men’s physique category. Phil only dieted for a few weeks and had me worried, but in the end he was able to dial it in and take a very close 2nd place in the over 35 category and a 3rd in the open physique. Dare I say that last beer did him in, as he was just a smidge away from winning the whole thing. I’m sure with a few more shows under his belt to polish his stage presence he’ll be taking home a host of physique trophies to go along with those he got in previous years bodybuilding competitions… I think he switched because he doesn’t like to train legs, lol. Art Ramirez, The Fit Factory’s very own cardio kickboxing guru, entered his second (and last) physique show. Art is starting to blur the line between a bodybuilder and physique competitor to the point where we wanted to soften him up a bit before this show. Although Art took 5th at this competition in the open class, he can only blame himself and his nerves as a lack of stage presence (and smile) did him in. Bodybuilding show number one is already in the works for Art, he’s put on an incredible amount of muscle in a very short amount of time. I am sure that with some high intensity training under his belt, Art will find his comfort zone in posing trunks and not board shorts.
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| Matt Long | Jake Keidel |
Matt Long and Jake Keidel, my little guys from Turlock did themselves and our team proud with 2nd place finishes in the Open bantam and lightweight classes respectively. These guys were both super conditioned, and should be very happy with what they brought to the stage. This was Matt’s second competitive season- he brought glutes, cross striated triceps and quads with good overall balance to the stage. I will just say that the gentleman who placed ahead of him lacked Matt’s conditioning. I am not a judge, but I’ve been around this sport for a long time… I’d really be interested in hearing a justification for Matt’s placing from someone on that panel. I’ll say this, Matt’s color sucked and he was shaking like a leaf, so maybe his stage presence cost him in the end. Jake however, receives the shaft of the night award. Every muscle group popped, he was incredibly conditioned and the clear cut winner in my opinion (and the opinion of every single person I talked to) at the prejudging. If anything, he was even tighter at the night show. Here is the only thing I can say to Jake, it is a subjective sport, this was only your first show, so next time be undeniable. All that said, these 2nd place finishes in the Open category gives these young guys a national qualification in the infancy of their competitive careers. Look for both of these guys to move up a weight class next year.
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| Shem Swerkes |
Finally, my boy of many years, Shem Swerkes, took not only his weight class, but also the overall in the Novice category! Shem also took 2nd in the Open light heavyweight class to the guy who ended up winning the Overall Open division. Great conditioning, probably the best of the entire show (if not Jake Keidel), excellent stage presence and posing for a guy only in his second year of competition. Shem redeemed himself completely from just a few months earlier when he took a disappointing 4th in the Open light heavies at the San Jose. 2012 will be a good off season for Shem as we really need to get him into the heavyweight class from here on out considering his height. Another 10-15lbs will make a world of difference to his physique as he’s got the conditioning end of it down and was the most comfortable I’ve seen him in the final week before a show. It really pays to reach your ideal bodyweight many days out from a show so you’re not “chasing” conditioning.
Congratulations again to my crew! I’m so proud of you guys (no gals at this show unfortunately). Phannary has the Nationals in less than 2 weeks and is training/dieting like her life depends on it. She will rise to the occasion The other members of our crew are going to enjoy an off season and get ready for the first annual NPC Governors Cup on March 24, also in Sacramento. If you have such competitive aspirations, feel free to contact us for training, dieting and contest preparation as we are always looking to expand our family of athletes.
