Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 20: The NPC Masters Nationals is an event that has a long history dating back to the 80's. In fact the 1987 Masters was held in Everett, Washington, when Shirley Kemper won the women's Masters, while husband John took the men's division. Over the years the contest has produced many outstanding women's winners including Kim Buck in 2006, Debbie Bramwell in 2007 and Gayle Frankie in 2008 – since their victories at the Masters Nationals all three have competed in the Ms. Olympia. Last year's winner Janet Kaufman has also begun to compete on the pro level entering the 2012 Battle of Champions in June.
For the past several years, the contest has been held in Pittsburgh, and this year promoter Gary Udit staged the event at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel Ballroom downtown with the lure of IFBB pro qualification to the winners of the various divisions. In women's bodybuilding, the winners of the three age groups would earn qualification to the pro ranks
WOMEN'S BODYBUILDING (Over 35, Over 45, and Over 55)
None Other Than Nilsa in LW Over 35
If there was a busy competitor at this year's Nationals, it was Illinois' Nilsa Anderson. Standing just 4-10 in the LW field of five contestants, Anderson had little trouble making a strong physical presence. Entering her fourth NPC Masters Nationals, and each year as a LW, she has always placed in the top four in two age classes showing a very well-prepared level of conditioning. Now 55, she entered all three age divisions. More impressive was the fact that she repeated her 2011 LW Over 35 victory, and she added a second place finish in the over 45 class, and another runner-up spot in the over 55 division. Anderson began weight training at 42 (weighing 150 pounds), and the mother of two from Elgin, Illinois, left the banking world to take her weight training more seriously and eventually become a personal trainer in an effort to motivate more women to take better care of their bodies. She has become a glowing example of the possible results while taking special care of her own.
Finishing second to Anderson was North Carolina's Linda Smith. A former figure competitor who entered her first Masters Nationals in 2007 placing ninth in the Over 45 figure class, Smith made her switch to bodybuilding in 2011 with victories at the NPC Elite Muscle Classic and NPC Charlotte Cup, to go with top-three placings in the open and masters divisions of the NPC North Carolina.
Michelle Evans (not to be confused with bikini competitor Michelle Evans), placed third in this class moving up from the sixth-place finish she garnered at the 2011 Masters Nationals. Evans also took the opportunity to enter the Over 45 division to claim a fourth-place spot and improved on the fifth-place finish she scored in that division last year. From Illinois, fourth placer Cheryl Shelby slipped one placement after capturing the third-place spot in 2011. An indication of the quality of this LW group can be realized in Shelby's placing – she was the winner of the LW class at the 2011 NPC Junior Nationals. Even Dave Palumbo's RX assessment of this class had her as a certain top three placer. Rounding out the top five was Theodora Djan, equaling the same placement she took in this class last year. Djan also added a sixth-place finish in the Over 45 class.
Sherri Left No Gray Area in the MW Class
If there was a slam dunk victory in the women's bodybuilding division this year, it belonged to North Carolina's Sherri Gray. Dave Palumbo couldn't have been more emphatic with his assessment of her on stage. “.......She's unbelievable, he wrote. Conditioning is awesome. Striated glutes, super capped delts and peaked arms. Feathered lower lats.” And that was to say nothing of her mountainous triceps. More than once it has been mentioned that judges at a major national-level contest often select a winner by asking themselves who looks like a pro that night. In this case Sherri Gray fit that description to a tee. Surprisingly, Gray began her contest exploits as a figure competitor weighing 116 pounds, but by 2009 she made the switch to bodybuilding and at a much more impressive 124 pounds, she hasn't looked back. In fact, Gray has been sterling in her contest efforts with open and masters class victories at the 2010 IFBB North American Championships, runner-up finishes including the NPC Junior USA and Arnold Amateur, and an overall win at the 2009 NPC North Carolina. Now the pro division is ahead of her – a goal and experience she will no doubt look forward to.
Kim McMurran claimed the bridesmaid position behind Sherri Gray. Both a MW and Masters class winner at the NPC Colorado last year, McMurran ended her competitive day here in Pittsburgh by adding a victory in the Over 45 MW class. Third went to Washington's Leann George. Having competed at the national level since 2007 and entering her fourth NPC Masters Nationals, she has progressively improved her placings moving up from ninth in 2007, to seventh in 2008, to sixth in 2010, and topping off the journey with her third-place finish here. Earlier in the year, George was the overall winner at the NPC Oregon State Championships.
Having floated back and forth from figure to bodybuilding, fourth-placer Kelly Owen has settled on bodybuilding as her most fulfilling competitive challenge. With a contest history dating back to her LW win at the 2000 NPC West Virginia, and a LW & Overall win at the NPC Mid-Atlantic Grand Prix, to a more current runner-up finish at the 2010 NPC Mike Francois Classic. Owen scored a pair of fourth-place finishes at these Nationals when she added another fourth-place spot in the Over 45 MW class.
Fifth-place finisher Cheryl Foust entered her first contest in 2005 and won the LtHW class in the NPC Novice Michigan in her home state. The same year she won the open and masters divisions of the NPC John Sherman Classic. Having competed at the national level for the past five years, Faust was the MW winner at the 2008 IFBB North American Championships. With a pleasing overall structure and genetically sound muscle shapes, Faust can be a contender for a top spot when she nails down her contest conditioning. As Dave Palumbo pointed out in his assessments, “Just way too smooth here tonight. She could win this class when she's in shape”.
Choat Takes the LtHW Class Challenge Head On
Truth be known, Texan Karen Choate was fortunate to be at the Masters Nationals this year...or any other contest dating back to 1994 when she entered her first competition. You see, in 1988, she was in an automobile accident (a head-on collision at 55mph) and it took some nifty patch work to put her back together. To look at her now, you would never know what she went through. But her efforts in bodybuilding have gone a long way in giving her the look she possesses today. As a bodybuilder she has fared well and at 5-3, she presents an impressive overall look with a crazy great pair of calves that supports the rest of her muscular physique. Having competed on the national level since 2006 with several state and regional contests to prepare her, Choat has been a consistently good competitor. In 2007 she placed third in the LtHW class in both the NPC USA and Nationals. She repeated her third-place finish at the NPC USA again in 2008. There are several more notable placings, but in her three previous NPC Masters National entries she finished first in 2008, second in 2009, and fourth last year - all as a LtHW. If those progressively downward finishes gave her pause to wonder if she was finished, her victory again this year certainly proved otherwise. Her impressive look and victory – minus the elusive pro card – could keep her hungry enough to make the trip to Las Vegas for the NPC USA at the end of the month.
Finishing second to Karen Choate was Colorado's Paula Francis.…..more on her in the Over 45 class write-up. Terri Harris – another Texan – placed third in this class. Also standing 5-3, Harris has had a strong career at the national level entering five past NPC Nationals and placing as high as third in 2009 as a MW. Last year Harris won the LtHW class in the Over 45 division – her first major victory since winning the MW class at the 2002 NPC Junior Nationals. Still, Harris is a sound bodybuilder with all the muscle she needs to remain competitive at any national event. This year, Harris also chased Paula Francis to the Over 45 LtHW class victory before taking the runner-up spot in that division.
Anita Ramsey placed fourth behind Terri Harris and that number has some significance. This was Ramsey's fourth entry in the NPC Masters Nationals, and she was fourth in 2008 and fourth in 2009 – each time as a LtHW. Ramsey has actually had two bodybuilding careers – one from 1988 to 1998, and after a ten year break, she returned in 2008 and has competed regularly since. To her credit, this was the best she has looked – ever. In 2011 Ramsey finished seventh in the Masters Nationals, and eighth at the NPC Nationals and her conditioning level and overall appearance at this event easily surpassed her look of a year ago.
Indiana's Kimberly Ferrell took the fifth place spot. Beginning her competitive efforts in 2005 when she won the overall NPC Kentucky title, followed by a sixth-place finish at the NPC Junior Nationals as a LtHW, and a overall win at the 2007 NPC Indiana. Ferrell has been at the national level ever since. With past experience at the NPC Nationals, USA, Junior Nationals and IFBB North American Championship, the 5-2 Ferrell made a strong showing at the 2011 North Americans placing second to Terri Harris.
With 10 contestants in this field, it was the largest class in the Over 35 division.
Rayburn Racks Up First National Level Victory
With a field of six contestants in the heavyweight class, it was Angela Rayburn of Columbia, Mississippi, who captured the top spot. For Rayburn, it was her first victory at the national level dating back to 2006. A steady performer, Rayburn has always been in the mix of any heavyweight class. Her 5-8 frame has consistently carried between 160 and 170 pounds, and her overall structural balance has served her well. In 2010, Rayburn finished second at the NPC USA – her highest-ever national placing....until now. This victory is a nice rebound from the seventh-place finish she experienced at last year's NPC USA – it was the only time Rayburn had been outside the top five at a national event in seven years.
From Duluth, Georgia, Cassandra Wilson claimed the runner-up placing to Angela Rayburn. At 5-3, Wilson also gave up five inches in height to the taller 
winner. But on her 5-3 frame, she squeezed an impressive 145 pounds throughout her well-developed physique. The 2012 season has already been a successful one for Wilson as she has won the overall NPC Junior USA title and was named the NPC Athlete of the Month for May in women's bodybuilding. Now 41, Wilson began training in 1998 and entered her first contest in 2004 placing second as a MW at the NPC Georgia Championships. A year later the former track & field athlete in high school and college won the NPC Atlantic USA Championships and she has been a national-level performer ever since.
Placing third was Washington's Gerri Davis......much more on her in the Over 45 division write-up. Fourth went to Georgian Olivia Terry. At 5-10 and normally weighing between 160 and 165 for a contest, Terry, like Cassandra Wilson, was also a former NPC Junior USA overall winner in 2010. Competing since 2000, Terry was also an overall winner at the 2005 NPC Eastern Seaboard. Last year she entered her first NPC Masters Nationals and placed fifth in this class, so her fourth-place finish bumped her up a notch.
The fifth spot went to Nancy Brigham who had also claimed that finish in the Over 45 and Over 55 divisions. Competing since the late 90's, Brigham finished seventh at the 2005 Masters Nationals, and sixth at the 2011 Masters Nationals – both as a LtHW.
Paula Goes Pro in the Over 45 Division
With many of the contestants from the Over 35 division crossing over to the Over 45 division, much of this report would be repetitious but deserving nonetheless.
Winning the overall title in this division was light-heavyweight winner Paula Francis from Colorado. After finishing second in the Over 35 LtHW class, her victory here was a welcome reward – on two fronts. First she became the NPC Masters National Over 45 overall champion, and second the victory secured her qualification for IFBB pro status. Not a bad night's work. Francis has competed as far back as 2001 when she won the Masters division at the NPC Rocky Mountain Championships. In 2010 she won the Masters NPC Colorado as well as the overall NPC Colorado open division. That year she entered her first Master Nationals placing sixth in the LtHW class. Last year she again entered the Masters Nationals placing fifth in the Over 35 class and sixth in the Over 45, so her improvements this year are substantial and vaulted her into pro standing. What a difference a year can make!
Second in the LtHW class went to Terri Harris (third in the Over 35 class behind Francis). Third went to Anita Ramsey who followed Francis and Harris in the Over 35 class. Myra Adams claimed the fourth position with Kathryn Connors placing fifth. Referring to Connors as a seasoned or veteran competitor would be an understatement. Competing since the 80's, she has entered five IFBB North American Championships, four NPC Nationals and four NPC USA's. She was also the overall winner at the 1997 NPC Junior USA, and the 2007 NPC Florida. Meanwhile, Connors was entering her fifth NPC Masters Nationals this year and was a HW winner in the Over 45 class in 2008.
Dinger Rings the Victory Bell in the LW Class
Nevada's Denise Dinger began her competitive exploits as a bodybuilder winning the overall NPC Nevada in 1990, but many years later she switched to figure events and at local competitions 
she fared well. But when it came to the national level the results were forgettable. In two straight years at the 2007 and '08 NPC USA she missed placing in the top 15. By 2009 she made the decision to switch back to bodybuilding and now she's in a better frame of mind.....and in a far better physical frame. But if her new state of mind includes some frustration, that's understandable considering how close she has been to winning at the national level. She was a third-place finisher at the Master Nationals in 2009, and at the NPC USA she placed second in 2009, third in 2010, and second again in 2011. Standing just 4-10 ¾ , Dinger no doubt felt a foot taller after winning this class.
Following Dinger was runner-up Nilsa Anderson, Linda Smith in third and fourth placed Michelle Evans who, as a trio, placed first, second and third respectively in the Over 35 division. Karen Holliday rounded out the top five LW finishers.
McMurrin Wins the McMiddleweights
Kim McMurrin finished second with her entry in the Over 35 division, but much of that result can be attributed to her running headlong into the Sherri Gray freight train who took no survivors in that division. In the Over 45 group, however, with no Sherri Gray in sight, she landed a convincing victory – her first at the national level.
Running second to McMurrin was Robin Gizzi. Competing exclusively as a figure competitor on the west coast from 2004 to 2008, and only one entry at the Master Nationals (she placed ninth in the Over 45 figure class) in 2008, her switch to bodybuilding brought immediate improvement in her contest successes. She has placed no worse than second at major state and regional contests since 2009, and finished second at last year's Masters Nationals in this same age and weight class.
With Barbara Rabon's switch to bodybuilding from figure, it must have been like a breath of fresh air after placings at the Masters Nationals in 2006 and '07 that eventuated in 16th and 17th place finishes in figure. In 2009 at the NPC Junior USA Rabon placed third in the MW class, and with her sixth-place finish in the Over 55 division and her third-place finish in this group, her efforts must now be much more to her liking.
Kelly Owen notched the fourth place spot as a carbon copy finish to her fourth place finish in the in the Over 35 division. Valri Scott landed the fifth-place position to round out the top five.
Davis Flexes Her Way to a Heavyweight Class Win
For those with a short memory, Gerri Davis was the HW winner at the 2010 NPC Masters Nationals and placed third in the Over 45 class the same year. For those with a longer memory, Gerri Davis will also be remembered as Gerri Deach, and her contest history goes back to 1989 with a very long list of contests entries that includes an overall win at the NPC Emerald Cup in 2001. At 5-4, Davis packs a muscular 160 pounds on her frame, and on this day it was good enough for a win. A veteran competitor, Davis has entered seven NPC USA contests placing as high as fourth in the HW class on two occasions. And speaking of seven entries, this year's Masters Nationals was also her seventh entry and the victory was no doubt very satisfying for the four-decade competitor. Davis was probably also doing double time celebrating this weekend as her 52nd birthday was Sunday the 22nd.
Georgia's Olivia Terry, the fourth-place finisher in the Over 35 division, jumped to second in this group of competitors who have seen long competitive careers.
Another prime example of years dedicated to bodybuilding, third-placer Audry Peden began her competitive efforts in 1998 and has scored well at the national level with a third-place finish in the HW class at the 2005 NPC Nationals, and a runner-up HW finish at the 2003 NPC Junior Nationals. Peden's 5-4 ½ frame is evenly developed and her thickly developed musculature is highly cultivated – a fact that keeps her competitive as a HW competitor.
Florida's Yamile Marrero landed the fourth position among the top five and the former overall winner at the NPC Florida and Southern USA has also compiled an impressive number of contests dating back to the late 90's. Like fellow veteran competitor Gerri Davis, Marrero has also entered seven NPC USA contests with a runner-up HW finish in 2004 as her best showing. Marrero has also entered six NPC Nationals, and four IFBB North American Championships. Her best previous finish at the Master Nationals was a fourth-place HW finish in 2009.
Nancy Brigham picked up another fifth-place trophy after scoring the same placing in the Over 35 division.
Gannon's Cannons Help Her to the Over 55 Division Victory
Ann Gannon looms large in a class of competitors over 55 years of age – even if she is only 4-11. But make no mistake, she carries all the muscle necessary to prove her point as a legitimate bodybuilder of any age. Now at 58 and in her best condition ever, the days of this mother of two carrying too much excess weight are long gone. As a 'late bloomer' in the most complimentary way, Gannon only began her competitive efforts when she turned 50. Since then she has been a regular entrant at the NPC Emerald Cup where she has entered the Over 50 division each year since 2006 and finished second in the over 55 class in 2011. Last year also saw her place a very respectable fourth LW at the NPC USA. Trained by fellow Masters competitor Gerri Davis (who won the HW class in the over 45 division), Gannon now has achieved qualification to the pro ranks – an accomplishment that was probably the farthest thing from her mind when she began bodybuilding eight years ago.
Nipping at Gannon's heels in second was Nilsa Anderson who had already won the over 35 LW class, and placed second in the over 45 LW group.
Robin Gizzi (who placed second in the Over 45 division) and Sheila Benditz filled out the third and fourth finishes respectively, while Nancy Brigham notched a trifecta of fifth-place finishes adding to her fifth place spots in both the Over 35 and Over 45 divisions.
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