Washington Ironman Brings Out the Best
The 2006 Bodybuiling.com Washington Ironman promised and delivered the best. This year’s event, once again held at Bellevue’s Meyedenbaur Center boasted one hundred and thirteen competitors and a host of top guest performers.
Kicking off the show was a 9 - 11 tribute by the New Beginnings Praise & Dance Team fronted by hometown hero and poser extraordinaire David Patterson.
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David Patterson.
The performance brought the capacity crowd of fifteen hundred to their feet. By the time Elaine Patterson finished her soulful rendition of America the Beautiful there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Heavy weight competitor, Pastor Ken Ralston then gave an opening prayer for the armed forces service men and women, the victims of 911 and the competitors in the show.
It took the wisecracking antics of MC Kim “Kong� Farrison to get the spectators back to the mood for some of the hardest fought muscle wars seen in the Northwest in quite a while. And that is saying a lot.
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MC Kim “Kong� Farrison.
Fitness Division:
Fitness competitor Tanya Pater was the sole contestant in the division. That is probably for the best for the no shows. She was nearly untouchable.
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Tanya Pater.
Her physique was in perfect accordance with the new NPC guidelines on women’s fitness and figure. Her routine was powerful and fast paced with just the right mix of strength, flexibility and dance moves to keep it exciting throughout.
Figure Divisions:
Sleek physiques and dazzling one and two - piece suits dominated the figure divisions. Team Evolution’s Genie Markwell continues to improve her body and her presentation with each show. Sherry Smith came all the way from Anchorage, Alaska to thwart Markwell’s bid for the top notch in the Figure A class.
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Genie Markwell & Sherry Smith.
The Figure B class first place was claimed by Fitness winner Tanya Pater. Tanya’s momentum was too much for recent Northern Classic overall winner Sharon Falcon. Falcon had to be satisfied with a close second and the indomitable Susie Hoverson took third.
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(1st)Tanya Pater,(2nd)Sharon Falcon,(3rd)Susie Hoverson.
The redhead darling of Vancouver, Washington, Amanda LaPore, traveled north to win the first place award in the Figure C class.
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Figure C class.
Newcomers Kris Isakson presented herself well and placed second with Michelle Landreth of Kennewick third.
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Kris Isakson.
There were several stand-outs in the Figure D class. An obvious one was the future overall winner, Julie Alves. Julie had her work cut out for her with an Andre “Bam Bam� Scott protégé, Melissa Yerdon giving her quite a challenge and third place winner Jennifer Kristiansen making a strong showing as well.
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Figure D class.
The Figure Over 35 class was nothing to overlook. Many of the ladies could have done well in the open classes. Winner Austine Powell carried herself with the elegance of seasoned competitor. It was hard to believe it was her first show. Second place Bonnie Hobson bound across the stage like she owned it. Her audience response was one of the best of the evening. Alaskan Debbie Fowler came all the way from the far north. She returned happy with her third place trophy.
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Figure Over 35 class.
Novice Divisions:
The Novice Classes showed what the future look like in Northwest bodybuilding. Tyson Wentz won the lightweight class, Mike Clark won the middleweight and the overall, and Dustin Knight the heavyweight. Brandon Dubisar, Jesse Disch, Kevin Scott, and Cornelius Giusca are just of few of the up-and-comers to keep an eye out for. Cornelius Giusca was tied for first in the Heavy Weight Division with Dustin Knight and lost the tie breaker. Cornelius very easily could have won his class with his tall frame and great lines.
Leslie Hilton was the sole competitor in the novice women’s lightweight class.
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Leslie Hilton.
Teresa Johnson took first in the Heavy Novice and Krista Moser placed second. Hilton posed well and edged out heavyweight winner Teresa Johnson for the overall.
Masters Divisions:
Masters Men Over 40 Winner Daniel Rutherford displayed a physique that was well balanced in both muscularity and definition. Rutherford tossed off two-dozen classic poses and left the stage a winner.
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Daniel Rutherford.
Second place James Harris topped his nemesis John Shepard for the second time in two months. Shepard won the division the year before.
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Masters Men Over 40.
In the Masters Men Over 50 the wild man was back. Michael Cavaiani was unopposed in his class and in his high octane, over the top posing routine. Mike is a favorite of the fans, as he always seems to out do himself from his previous show. He puts a lot of thought and practice into his routines and they are always very entertaining.
It was Walt Radke’s night in the masters over sixty. Walt continues to fine-tune his physique under the tutelage of Team Evolution’s Pete Grubbs. Hats off to fellow competitors Robert Mussehl, Thomas Nasky, and the man in chains, retired Lutheran Pastor, Paul Stone.
The “Little Big Man� Heath Warren guest posing routine followed the masters overall. Heath is in hard training for this year’s NPC Nationals. He gave the crowd a taste of what he will be bringing to Miami.
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“Little Big Man� Heath Warren.
The Masters Women Over 35 kicked of the second half of the show. Renee Ummel came ready to take on all comers. She was rock hard and shredded. Her only competition was that mighty gal from Marysville, Carmen Peddy. Ummel won the class but judging from their spirited presentations both ladies had a great time.
Junior Division:
Junior Men winner Rory Cosgrove had his posing routine down. Coming from Port Orchad to defeat the likes of Scott Hoffman and Marv Saura, Cosgrove really got the fans buzzing again.
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Junior Division.
Guest Performance:
IFBB fitness pro Tanji Johnson brought out the stars with her guest performance. The Connect All-Stars that is. The Connect All-Stars are the cream of the crop of cheer squads from around the area. Their collaboration with Tanji was something to behold and nearly impossible to describe. The crowd went crazy for their high energy routine that ended with Tanji being tossed up into the air into an overhead lift, twenty feet above the Ironman crowd.
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Tanji Johnson & Connect All-Stars Cheer Squad.
Team Evolution’s Cindy Goodrich came on like gangbusters during her open women bodybuilding free posing routine. Cindy has made some great improvements in build since she moved from the figure division in to bodybuilding. I think 2007 is going to be a big year for her.
Women's Open Divisions:
The Open Women Middleweight winner Mary Morrison is another competitor whose persistence has paid off well. Last year’s Overall Ironman Novice Champion Jenifer Erickson placed a strong second. Open Heavyweight winner, Audra Kimsey, finally got her due. She has been training hard and competing regularly in the Northwest. She came to Bellevue harder then I have seen her in recent past. Her efforts were rewarded with the overall women’s Ironman sword. On a side note, Audra also holds a world record in the deadlift.
Tina Worthey’s eclectic free posing was well received as was East Wenatchee’s favorite daughter, Patrica Card.
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Tina Worthey (left), Patrica Card (right).
Mixed Pairs:
The brother and sister team of Mark Thacker and Renee Ummel came out in the mixed pairs competition, recreating the fall of man from the Garden of Eden. Making a surprise appearance during the routine was the Devil Himself, Tony Ruggeiro. When looking for a person to play the Devil, Tony’s name was brought up. Tony was quoted as saying, “This role was made for me�. See the photos for more info.
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Mark Thacker and Renee Ummel.
Bantam Weight Division:
Roland Kickinger came out and posed in the Bantam Weight Division. At 6 - 05, Roland is by far the world’s tallest Bantam competitor. Roland has a great sense of humor and was very gracious to all he encountered.
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Roland Kickinger.
Roland was provided by Muscle & Fitness and Flex Magazines and has become a fixture at the Washington Ironman the past several years. It just wouldn’t be quite the same show without Roland!
Men's Open Division:
The open men’s division showed what drug-free bodybuilding is all about. There were some phenomenal builds all carved the natural way with hard work and clean dieting.
Bill Willyerd from the Fit Stop gym in Olympia won the Bantamweight class with a strong presentation.
It was good to see second place winner Thoai Nguyen back after a five-year layoff. Thoai makes up for his height with some densely packed muscle. Shane Norton and Michael Leon-Guerro rounded out the class.
Lightweight Division:
The lightweight promised to be a hard fought battle. The fifty-three year old Northwest legend Henry Jung always comes ready to win. Mark Thacker, coming back after a couple year hiatus, is always a threat. And you can always count on Jerome Williams as a spoiler. All three posing routines were flawless.
Each fan had their pick but there could only be one winner. The judging panel, headed by the “Big Block� John Tuman gave Mark Thacker the win over some very tough competition. Mark said afterward that he was retiring from bodybuilding and that this was his swan song. Mark said that he wanted the Washington Ironman to be his last show.
Middleweight Division:
Middleweight winner Joe Pearson finally hit his peak at the right time. He has been close several time and finally pulled all together. It sounded like second place winner, Scott Hickman from the Kirkland Gold’s Gym brought half the Eastside with him as a fan club. Pearson was probably the most balanced competitor in the whole show and one of the first athletes to be drug tested because he looked so good.
Light - Heavy Division:
The Big Dog from Hayden, Idaho, Eric Hess came ready to rumble in the light-heavies. He took that class with Anthony Bates in second and Scott Schaffer in third. Schaffer had one of the best posing routines of the evening and is always a force to be reckoned with.
Heavy Weight Division:
In the Heavy weight class it was Pastor Ken Ralston of Family Life Church who took the class with big Jon Warner placing second and patent attorney Mike Hughes in third. Pastor Ken came in very tight conditioning and was one of the favorites going into the Overall.
Guest Posers:
Before the Overall Judging, the audience was treated to a Christian posing routine by Olympia contender Troy Alves. Roland Kickinger took the microphone from the Dancing Emcee to introduce his good friend Troy Alves. Troy has a classic physique with a wide back, narrow waist and flowing lines reminiscent of Frank Zane. I think that everyone could look at Troy and say “I would love to look like that�! You can’t say that about too many of today’s top bodybuilders who lose their shape as they strive to get bigger and bigger. Troy just has a pretty physique that doesn’t turn people off. Troy is also one of the nicest pro bodybuilders in the sport and despite being two weeks away from the Olympia, was his normal friendly self to all the fans. Troy was also courtesy of Muscle and Fitness and Flex Magazines.
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Troy Alves.
Overall Posedown:
The class winners were ready to rock and roll after Troy’s inspiring routine. Who would the Overall winner be? Bill Willyerd in the Bantam? Mark Thacker with his shredded symmetrical physique in the Light? Joe Pearson with his balanced physique in the Middle? The “Big Dog� Eric Hess in the Light Heavy or Pastor Ken Ralston in the Heavy?
It seemed to be a battle between the Heavy Champion Pastor Ken and Lightweight winner Mark “The Shredder� Thacker. When the dust settled it was the Police Sergeant from Everett, Mark Thacker in the lightweight who took the Overall. Mark was ecstatic about his Overall Victory and said that the show could not have worked out any better for him. Mark said that he wanted the Ironman to be his final show with his sister Renee Ummel and to go out on top was extra special.
Special Thanks To Our Sponsors:
There were also 32 exhibitor booths at the event including Bodybuilding.com, Universal Nutrition, Muscle & Fitness and Flex, Zipfizz, Pro Body Nutrition, OHS, MC Bodywear, LA Gymmees, Azteca, Desert Fire, Cookie Lee, XS Energy, Excellent Spirit and Body Bell Clothing.
Azteca and the Desert Fire booths were serving free food all night to long lines of hungry fans. Emerald City Smoothie gave all competitors free smoothies during the show and sold full size smoothies for only $2.00 to everyone else. All competitors received a custom Ironman gym bag, a short sleeve from Bodybuilding.com, a long sleeved contest shirt from LA Gymmees, a Zipfizz sample bag and a year’s subscription to Ironman magazine for entering the show. Cytosport provided a full 2.5 lb container of Muscle Milk for all of the Bodybuilding winners throughout the show, in first through fifth places. Zipfizz was giving out free samples of their energy drink at the Zipfizz Hummer and many other booths had free samples.
Needless to say, no one went hungry at the show. The 2006 Bodybuilding.com Washington Ironman is now one for the record books but will live on in the memories of many happy competitors.
Final Results
Fitness:
1. * Tanya Pater, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
Novice Men:
Light
1. 
Tyson Wentz, Ironworks Gym, Bellevue, WA
2. 
Brandon Dubisar, Madras Fitness, Madras, OR
3. 
David Gomez, Armed Forces, Fort Lewis, WA
4. Scott Mihulka, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
5. Kyle Moerke, Thrive Fitness, Monroe WA
DNC Eric Mills, Pyramid Fitness, Rahway, NJ
DNC Alofaifo Toa Save, 24 Hour, Federal Way, WA
Middle
1. 
* Mike Clark, Superior Athletic Club, Medford, OR
2. 
Jesse Disch, Gold’s Gym, Mill Creek, WA.
3. 
Kevin Scott, 24 Hour Fitness, Seattle, WA
4. Matt Nader, Bally’s Fitness, Puyallup, WA
5. Nathan Jendrick, Puyallup, WA
6. Cody Ashby, Adicope A. C., Lewiston, ID
Heavy
1. 
Dustin Knight, Fitness RX Gym, Auburn, WA
2. 
Corneliu Giusca, Klahanie Fit., North Bend, WA.
3. 
Brian Cullen, Mount Si Fitness, North Bend, WA
4. Gavin Wagner, Gold’s Gym, Arlington, WA
5. Tyson Dodd
6. Nic Burpee, 24 Hour, Lynnwood, WA
7. Travis Dougherty, Gold’s Gym, Redmond, WA
* Denotes Overall Champion
Novice Women:
light
1. * Leslie Hilton, Gold’s Gym, Arlington, WA
Heavy
1. 
Teresa Johnson, Thrive Fitness, Monroe, WA
2. 
Krista Moser, Gold’s Gym, Arlington, WA
* Denotes Overall Champion
Figure:
Figure One-Piece (A Group, Under 5-02)
1. Sherry Smith, Anchorage, Alaska
2. Genie Markwell, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
3. 
Jodell Dodge, Gold’s Gym, Albany, OR
4. Sherill Taduran, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
5. Shelly Jukanovich, Gold’s, Marysville, WA
Figure One-Piece (B Group, 5-02 to 5-04)
1. Tanya Pater, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
2. Sheron Falcon, 24 Hour Fitness, Kirkland, WA.
3. Susan Hoverson, Studio Fit, Walla Walla, WA
4. Shanelle Lucas, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
5. Maria Ramos, Family YMCA, Yakima, WA
6. Leah Ott …amp;quot; LA Fitness, Avondale, AZ
Figure One-Piece (C Group, 5-04 to 5-06)
1. 
Amanda LaPore, 24 Hour, Vancouver, WA
2. Kris Isakson, 24 Hour, Federal Way, WA
3. 
Michelle Landreth, Life Quest, Kennewick, WA
4. Quinn Andrews, 24 Hour, Bellevue, WA
5. Shannon O’Day, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
6. Shelly Bunday, Bellevue, WA.
7. Debby Lukas, Sculpture Fitness, Redmond, WA
8. Vanessa Hearthway, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
9. Heather Martin, West Coast Fitness, Bremerton, WA
10. Brenda Kasper, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
11. Tanya Touzalin, Impax Fitness, Vancouver
Figure One-Piece (D Group, Over 5-06)
1. 
* Julie Alves, Courthouse Athletic Club, Salem, OR
2. 
Melissa Yerdon, Team Bam Bam, Gresham,OR
3. 
Jennifer Kristiansen, Bally’s, Bellevue, WA
4. Juliana Jade, LA Fitness, Federal Way, WA
5. Kiya Knight, University of Idaho, Moscow ID
6. Angie Hughes, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
7. Christina Cunningham, 24 Hour, Lynnwood, WA
8. Courtney Heinz, U. Of Idaho, Moscow, ID
9. Katie Woolston …amp;quot; Sculptor Fitness, Redmond, WA
10. Laura Ann Null-Hall, Bally’s, Lake Stevens, WA
11. Alison Roy, Lynnwood, WA
DNC Tabitha Ramirez, Jensen Gym, Fort Lewis, WA
Figure Over 35 (One-Piece)
1. 
Austine Powell, Gold’s Gym, Kirkland, WA
2. 
Bonnie Hobson, Canyon Park Fitness, WA
3. 
Debbie Fowler, Powerhouse, Anchorage, AK
4. Lisa Cuevas, Sculptor Fitness, Redmond, WA
5. April Lopez, Bonney Lake, WA
6. Linda Vaughn, Bonney Lake Fitness, Bonney Lake, WA
7. Carol Baker, Body Logic, Puyallup, WA
8. Sandi Carlow, LA Fitness, Avondale, AZ
9. Desiree Rocovich, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
10. Shannon Patten, Bonney Lake Fitness, Bonney Lake, WA
11. Barbara Austin, N. Idaho A.C., Moscow, ID
12. Jodi Kunz, 24 Hour Fitness, Renton, WA
Masters Men:
Over 40
1. * Daniel Rutherford, Team Fitness, Lake Stevens, WA
2. 
James Harris, P.T. Systems, Tacoma, WA
3. 
John Shephard, Bonney Lake Fitness, Bonney Lake, WA
Over 50
1. 
Michael Cavaiani, Gold’s Gym, Renton, WA
Over 60
1. 
Walt Radke, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
2. 
Paul Stone, 24 Hour, Lake Ballinger, WA
3. 
Robert Mussehl, Seattle A.C., Seattle, WA
4. Thomas Nasky, 24 Hour, Shoreline, WA
* Denotes Overall Champion
Masters Women:
Over 35
1. 
Renee Ummel
2. 
Carmen Peddy, Gold’s Gym, Marysville, WA
Junior Men
1. 
Rory Cosgrove, Port Orchard, WA
2. 
Scott Hoffman, 24 Hour Fitness, Kent, WA
3. 
Timothy Perez
4. Marv Saura, Olympia, WA
Women's Open Bodybuilding:
Light
1. 
Cindy Goodrich, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
Middle
1. 
Mary Morrison, Bally’s, Everett, WA
2. 
Jenifer Erickson, Thrive Fitness, Monroe, WA
Heavy
1. 
* Audra Kimsey, Universe Gym, Kennewick, WA
2. Tina Worthey, Fitness Rx, Auburn, WA
3. Patricia Card, Gold’s Gym, Wenatchee, WA
* Denotes Overall Champion
Mixed Pairs:
1. Mark Thacker & Renee Ummel - Gold’s, Mill Creek
Men's Open Bodybuilding:
Bantam
1. 
Bill Willyerd, Fit Stop, Olympia, WA
2. 
Thoai Nguyen, Emerald City Smoothie, Federal Way, WA
3. 
Shayne Norton, 24 Hour, Federal Way, WA
4. Michael Leon-Guerro, Gold’s, Seattle, WA
Light
1. 
* Mark Thacker, Gold’s Gym, Mill Creek, WA
2. 
Henry Jung, CPA Gym, Clackamas, OR
3. 
Jerome Williams, Bangor Gym, West Sound, WA
Middle
1. 
Joe Pearson, Life Quest, Kennewick, WA
2. Scott Hickman, Gold’s Gym, Kirkland, WA
3. 
Chris Meredith, Hard Core PT, Bellevue, WA
4. Todd Mims
5. Delfin Ignacio, Pure Fitness, Tacoma, WA
6. Dave Thomas, Gold’s Gym, Mill Creek, WA
7. Sam Palmer, Northside Fitness, Spokane, WA
Light-Heavy
1. 
Eric Hess, World Gym, Hayden, ID
2. 
Anthony Bates, Mountlake Terrace, WA
3. 
Scott Schafer, Bend, OR
4. Henry Jones, Mavericks Gym, Vancouver, WA
5. John Gallegos, Thornton, CO
Heavy
1. 
Ken Ralston, Gold’s/Eastside Gym, Arlington, WA
2. 
Jonathon Warner, Gold’s Gym, Mill Creek, WA
3. 
Mike Hughes, Team Evolution, Bellevue, WA
* Denotes Overall Champion