WTF World 2003

Round 6: Shuttle Runs

The Final Event after 2 intense days of competition! I'm up first, dropping 1 beanbag on the outside of the box. But, after picking up the bag to complete my run, I stop the clock at 36.81 seconds, scoring 9.599.

Chris is up last against his training partner, Steve, and even gains a full length on him before he drops 2 bags outside the box and slips missing a third. Even after all that, Steve takes the best time in the event less than half a second ahead of Chris (32.28 seconds, score: 9.866)! Both end up beating the previously held record, but, of course, Steve earns the high honors in this one.

Round 5: Bench Press

This is where reps really count. Most people assume the more weight you can bench, the better you are at this event...well, I'm here to tell you that the notion doesn't always work. When Chris first started training for the MOCC, he could put up 325 lbs on the bench. Asking him to push 150 lbs, 50 times was like telling him to do bicep curls with a yardstick. He figured getting these reps out would be easy. I knew it would be difficult for both of us; we are both blessed with long arms and have a long way to press for the "full" rep to count.

In this event, men are required to press 80% of their bodyweight, while women press 60%. For me, that works out to 80 lbs. I accomplish 28 reps before giving the bar back, while Chris garners 39 reps at 150 lbs. This is the event that we will both seek to improve for next season. .

Round 4: Box Jumps

The Box Jumps are the first event on Saturday morning. Chris is called first and the time we have spent practicing this round is fully rewarded. He scores a perfect "10" in this round by beating the max score time of 40 seconds! Chris finishes in 36.69 seconds!

When I get a shot at the box, my game plan is to do my step-ups as fast and as consistent as I possibly can! (Remember, I choose not to do jumps because I am petrified at the thought of grazing my shins on the corner!) I achieve what I set out to do and beat my best time in this event by almost 10 seconds! I stop the clock at 51.99, scoring a respectable 9.251.

Round 3: Obstacle Course

This year, due to the searing daytime heat in Las Vegas, Al decided to hold the obstacle course event at night. Thank Goodness!!! It was 114 degrees that day during our routine round, but by the time we began warming up for this event, it had cooled to an even 100...

Every athlete is given two chances at the course for best time, if they want it. Chris had some slight trouble with his first run and still comes in at just over 48 seconds, he is glad to have a second shot it. In his second run, he thinks he's lost it when he slips grabbing the baton, but actually comes in at 46.36 seconds, placing him in the 2nd best time slot overall on the course!

Now, the course is not my best event, but I have been working consistently on the elements to improve my time. Knowing that I've already had a very long day (Swimsuit Finals and Fitness Routine round earlier the same day) and that I am dying of thirst from dehydrating for the swimsuit round, I set my sights on "besting" my previous course time (78.41 seconds in April). In my first run, I struggle with the wall, feelin my exhaustion, but still finish the course in 70.91 seconds with no penalties. I've done it! Beat my own course time, but I still have another shot at it. So at 10:30pm, I run the course a second time, this time taking the wall a little faster and just focus on getting the day over with! I finish the course this time at 68.24 seconds! Mind you, this is not the best score on the field, in fact, it ranks about 28th Overall, BUT I beat my own time by over 10 seconds and that is something I was very proud of!

Round 2: Fitness Routine

By the time I hit the stage for my routine, I have helped one competitor clean up her routine and another get her back handspring solid enough for stage. My best focus comes from me NOT focusing on what I'm about to do, but rather, helping others backstage get over their jitters and doubts. I already know my routine inside and out, so there's no need to go over it 100 times backstage...I just mark it a couple of times for timing elements and that's it. Spending too much time, makes me nervous and lets me question whether or not I'll hit certain moves correctly.

I go on to perform my routine with tremendous energy and audience focus! I love to hear crowd response, so I choreograph my routines that way. I make sure I take time to "talk" to the audience and let them know I am not scared to be out there dancing my buns off. :) My performance earns me a tie for 6th place of 20 AND the title of "crowd favorite". I was probably the happiest girl on stage when they presented medals for that round!

Round 1: Grace and Physique

Swimsuit Prelims were held Thursday night at the Monte Carlo. In 6 rounds of beautiful bodies, the judges were asked to rank who they thought were the "best of the best". I placed sixth in my group (ages 30-34 Tall) against the beautiful Elizabeth Sparks, Liz Higgins, and Chrystal Nesbit. Definitely, one of the toughest groups of the night. But I was glad to have the round over and done with so I could then focus my attention on my routine performance and my skills! Swimsuit Finals were held Friday morning, but by the time you grace the stage, the judges have already made their decisions, so it ends up being more for show, than anything.

In The End...

Almost as quickly as the event had come, it was over! The awards were presented immediately following our final event and I held my breath in hopes that I had represented myself well in my first World Challenge...

As they began to call names for top ten Obstacle Course, Dual Fitness, and Dual Fitness Optional, I was elated to see Allison, Gina, and Lovena accomplish such great standings! Then they began to call the Fitness Routines, an area where I seem to always be left behind in the judges eyes. 10, 9, 8,...haven't heard my name yet in a category of 20 and I began to worry...then it happens! In a tie for 6th with the beautiful Lisa Thomas, Rebecca Lee. I must've jump out of my seat at the sound of my name! I couldn't believe it! In the overall, I ranked 11th and know what I have to do to improve my scores, but I was very happy with my routine!

As they call the Men's scores, Chris and I have already calculated the results, and the overall title goes to our friend and training partner, Steve Gable, with Chris landing in second place by only .40. He also knows what he must do to gain that title next year!

Stay tuned for 2004!

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