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Bert Harrop
Photo: Alan Leff
2007 INBF MR. & MS. UNIVERSE
By Rich Fitter
The inaugural INBF Amateur Universe was held on Sept. 8 at East Stroudsburg University in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. The event was co-sponsored by MHP and Nature’s Best, and promoted by the very capable C&C Sport Productions.
With an enthusiastic crowd in attendance, athletes from all over the East coast flexed for one of bodybuilding’s most respected titles.
With WNBF pro cards on the line, the show featured quality competitors in both bodybuilding and figure. In the Novice Figure class, Teresa Oxford stood out with great legs and sharp conditioning. She finished ahead of runner-up Icela David, who displayed a great back and polished stage presence. In third was 16-year-old Ashley Hernandez, a beautiful girl with a bright future.
In the open figure class, all the ladies were fine, but one was finer. Kara Finer brought it all to the stage. Her suit, tan and presence complimented a lean, muscular physique. Brandy Fagnano proved to be a challenge in this class. She took second with a confident and graceful presentation and stunning looks. A glamorous Becky Wenner was third. With better color, fourth place Mary Diorka will finish higher. Under the bright lights, tanning is a necessity.
The Women’s bodybuilding was next and there were three very good competitors. Terry Drumgold brought her awesome upper body and formidable legs to the show. Her chest and shoulders were striated, and her abs were etched with deep cuts. A WNBF pro card was her reward. Catherine Lombardo carries quite a bit of muscle on a small frame. She was in great condition and had a posing routine that was second to none. She was a close runner-up. The Masters champion, Ildi Szeremi was third with a muscular upper body.
The Men provided the audience with quality, drug-free muscle. Novice champ Ian Charles brought a nice blend of mass and conditioning to the stage and finished first in a class of promising athletes.
In the Men’s bantamweight class, Craig Granowitz was granite hard, edging a muscular Mark Rodney for the class crown. In third, Vince Cardamone displayed great legs and placed ahead of veteran competitor, Michael Sabella.
The lightweights saw a familiar face in the top spot as Charles Walker dazzled the crowd with a physique impressive for a man half his age. Charles also took the Over-50 trophy to add to his collection. Matt Franco was the runner-up with an aesthetic physique and great legs. His good looks and classic musculature will take him far in bodybuilding.
Charles Walker
Photo: Alan Leff
The INBF takes its drug-testing seriously. After the results of a urine test proved positive, middleweight second place winner Nam Le moved into the top spot. Nam had broad shoulders and defined hamstrings. He is a deserving winner, rewarded for competing by the rules. Dino Campbell took second with a solid upper body. A proud father, Alberto Hernandez took third. His daughter Ashley competed in the Figure class and for him, that was as good as a win.
In the light-heavies, Big Bert Harrop had a rematch with veteran Joe Viteritti. As with the Over-40 class, Bert’s size edged Joe’s classic conditioning. Gary Schadwill nudged Craig Hanneberry for the third spot.
The heavyweights stepped on stage next. Ronnie Crosby ruled the day with defined mass and a complete physique. Michael Halsey was a close second and with sharper hamstrings and glutes, might have earned the top spot. His posing was innovative, and had the crowd entertained. “The White Lion”, Greg Strom Jr. was next. Greg came in short of his best shape but his size and proportion landed him third. Christopher Daily was the hometown favorite. His family and friends vocally showed their support for the bodybuilder with a solid future. Gary Masington brought his massive legs and thick chest to the show. With better color and conditioning, he will be a force to reckon with.
Finally, in the Over-70 class, Dr. Don Morse got the nod over combat veteran Don Shy. Legendary Len Bosland came in third.
C&C Promotions have already committed to bringing the Universe back next year. With another show like this one, fans will not be disappointed.
Ronnie Crosby
Photo: Alan Leff
NOVICE FIGURE
1st – Teresa Oxford
2nd – Icela David
3rd – Ashley Hernandez
FIGURE
1st – Kara Finer #
2nd - Brandy Fagnano
3rd – Becky Wenner
4th – Mary Diorka
WOMEN MASTER’S
1st – Ildi Szeremi
WOMEN
1st – Terry Drumgold #
2nd – Catherine Lombardo
3rd – Ildi Szermi
MEN’S NOVICE
1st – Ian Charles
2nd – Jeffery Phillips
3rd – Anthony Bevilacqua
4th – Fernando Esquerra
5th – David Menna
6th – Howard Zeitlin
Theresa Oxford
Photo: Alan Leff
MEN
Bantamweights
1st – Craig Granowitz
2nd – Mark Rodney
3rd – Vince Cardamone
4th – Michael Sabella
Lightweights
1st – Charles Walker
2nd – Matt Franco
3rd – Eric Mills
4th – Curt Terrano
5th – Tony Danvers
6th – Luis Casalduc
Middleweights
1st – Nam Le
2nd – Dino Campbell
3rd – Alberto Hernandez
Light-Heavyweights
1st – Bert Harrop #
2nd – Joseph Viteritti
3rd – Gary Schadwill
4th – Craig Hanneberry
Heavyweights
1st – Ronnie Crosby
2nd – Michael Halsey
3rd – Greg Strom Jr.
4th – Christopher Daily
5th – Gary Masington
6th – Shawn Schumaker
MASTERS MEN
Over-40 Group A
1st – Bert Harrop #
2nd – Joseph Viteritti
3rd – Craig Granowitz
4th – Vince Cardam
5th – Jeffery Phillips
6th – Michael Sabella
7th – Louis Casalduc
Over-40 Group B
1st – Mark Rodney
2nd – Dino Campbell
3rd – Gary Masington
4th – Alberto Hernandez
5th – Howard Zeitlin
Over-50
1st – Charles Walker
2nd – Felix Campiz
Over-70
1st – Dr. Donald Morse
2nd – Don Shy
3rd – Len Bosland
# – Denotes Overall Winner
