2002 Another Step Forward

In 2002 some more interest towards bodybuilding began to generate in my gym thanks to the 2001 Shenandoah Valley Open in our area which spread the bodybuilding bug to a few more prospects.

I was still highly infected by the bodybuilding bug & set my sights once again on two shows. First, the 2002 Pittsburgh Championships on May 4th and second the Virginia/DC Drug Free State Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships held in Virginia Beach Pavilion Theatre.

These photos were taken a day before the Pittsburgh Championships. I still remember how I had come down with a horrible cold about two weeks out, hoped it wouldn't impact me, and survived by lying in the tanning bed with Vic's rub on my chest trying to decongest. Looking back at my conditioning, I have to still admire it considering I was still so new to the sport & was working with just my knowledge and experience or lack of it. Its just a matter of hard work & dedication.

 I placed second in the Pittsburgh
Championships in the middleweight
class. (center in this photo)

One thing I was beginning to learn was confidence on stage. I believe this photo captures it well as I walk proudly onto the stage to as part of my evening routine.

At that time, Future multi-time Mr. Olympia - Jay Cutler

Former Ms. Olympia and IFBB Hall of Famer Juliette Bergmann

I also had the opportunity to meet some great IFBB pros at the Pittsburgh Championships.






















Then it was off to the VA/DC Drug Free State Championships, a wonderful experience where I won the Overall and I became the 2002 Virginia State Champion. One of the things that I regret from this show is that I didn't order professional photos from it. Word to the wise competitor, always order contest photos, you'll be glad you did later! Here are few photos taken from the audience.

The flags flying all around made things look so patriotic & the victory that much sweeter, not to mention the smiles on everyone's face.

 Another thing I remember from this show was the friend that I met back in 1997 that first turned me on to bodybuilding and that I trained with for a while just happened to have moved to VA Beach & was at this show.

I ran across him by surprise & he congratulated me on my win. It was a nice surprise & a feeling to have built on something great that was started several years ago and feel a bit of respect and admiration.

The Championship rings that were awarded to the Overall winners were a nice reminder as I  wore mine the following year, reminding me of who I was - that is a person who succeeds.





That year, the local newspaper did an article on me: