By Stephanie Rosen

Las Vegas has been the home to mobsters such as Bugsy Segel; home to entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Wayne Newton and of course magician Lance Burton. It has been the home to eccentric millionaire Howard Hughes and is the home to the UNLV Running Rebels. It has now become the home to the WTF World Challenge. When one thinks of Las Vegas, they think of casinos, entertainment, show girls, and the hot desert heat. But one does not think of monsoons? Well, if you know anything of the history of the WTF, you know a monsoon is not enough to stop the show. If you know anything about promoter Al Rosen, he will just adjust and keep the show moving. Yes, this 4 part athletic event along with the MOCC (Men's Obstacle Course Challenge) received rave reviews from all the athletes.

Grace and Physique (Sponsored by Labrada Nutrition)
After a Thursday night prejudging in the Monte Carlo Ballroom, the Grace & Physique Event was held Friday morning in the unbelievably majestic Lance Burton Theater. The emcees were Mocha Lee (out with an injury) and Jennifer Rosen. Under the professional lighting (spots, ballyhoo, etc), each athlete was introduced. Once all 72 athletes were on stage, Lindsey Rosen performed a lyrical dance to "Proud to be an American." A slideshow, produced by John Atherton, was shown (from past events).

The first group to be judged was the18 to 24 old age group. Charisse "Reesie Cup" Rivers set the tone right away. Among the top physiques in this class were Vanessa Hernandez, Miami, Florida; Minde Erickson, Bozeman, Montana; Amanda Cox, Yorba Linda, California; and "Reesie" from Gainesville, Florida.

The second group was the 25 to 29 year olds. This group would land seven in the top twenty. These seven were Camille Eberle (Dallas, Texas), Gina Oakes (Burlington, N.C), Shanay Norvell (Dayton, Ohio), Lia Montelongo (Newport Beach, California), Tania Becht (Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.), Amy Huber (Durham, N.C.), and Tammy Lynn (Cleveland, Ohio). Teresa Evans and Sherri Horn were right behind,

The 30-34 group was up next. The eventual winner, Sylvia Fererro Hernandez (Miami Beach, FL.) would come from this age group. Among the others making the top 20 overall were Christine Dahlen (British Columbia, Canada) and Sheila Law (Winter Haven, FL). Following close behind were Debbie Sizemore (Sarasota, FL), Colleen Park (Windsor, Canada), and Renee Anderson (Clearwater, FL).

The following group was the 35-39 (no one would ever believe it). Six of these athletes would make the top 20. Leading the way was the eventual overall runner-up, Sandra Augustin (Sacramento, California). Following closely behind were Danielle Nagel (St. Petersburg Beach, FL), Kristine Daniels (Palm Harbor, FL), Patti Franklin (LaPlata, Maryland), Susan Oda Law (San Jose, California), Kim Currie (Miami Beach, FL), and Carla Young (Dallas, Texas).

The final group was the 40 and over. These women looked fabulous. Anne Groff, the pride of Millersville, Pennsylvania won the tall class followed closely by California's Karen Zimmer. Debi Balmert (LaGrange, Ohio and captain of Team Fox Ohio) took home first place in the short class. Debra Moore (Dallas, Texas) took first place honors for the 50 year olds.

Obstacle Course (The Outback Obstacle Course)
After the Grace and Physique, the athletes switched clothes and gear and headed out to the Obstacle Course at Durango Stadium. All three lanes were looking immaculate and the University of Nevada Las Vegas Football Team was there as spotters. The Outback Steakhouse had tubs of water and local television was present to film live. Promoter Al Rosen was psyched up as both prejudging and finals of the Grace and Physique had running on schedule. The temperature had dropped from 117 degrees to 90 as the 7:00 pm start time was getting close. And then, boom! A monsoon? Couldn't be? It hadn't rained in Vegas in 101 days. Well, after seeing several bolts of lightning and as the winds were picking up, Rosen declared a change in schedule; the course will be run tomorrow, Saturday afternoon, and we will do the fitness skills immediately back at the Monte Carlo.

Saturday afternoon came and the sun was blazing. But, so were the athletes! The Outback Obstacle Course was to be run in 115 degree temperature. "Just another obstacle," stated Danielle Nagel. "Nothing to it, but to do it", said Teresa Evans, running with a sprained ankle. In all, there were 109 women who ran while the MOCC (Men's Obstacle Course Challenge) featured 28 men. Lori Larsen, 47 years young, finished in 20th place beating out 89 women younger then herself. Larsen said: "Finding this competition 4 years ago was one of the best things I have ever found in my life. I was searching for other women like myself, the ones that seemed absent in everyday life. The Warriors, the ones who never quit and never became victims."

Blazing her way to a first place victory was Tonia D'Anna of Inverness, Florida. She ran an incredible time of 49.100 as she edged out her fellow Floridian, Lori Abnathy (52.03) and Ohio's Shanay Norvell (52.62). Running in the 53's were Vida Garcia, Charisse Rivers, and Gina Oakes.

In all, 17 women broke the one-minute barrier. Winning the teenage title was Cicely Kyle of Pensacola, Florida.

It was now the mens's turn - The MOCC.

Yanni McCoy had to wait till his second run (45.90) to edged out Steve Teran (47.83). Teran running with a bad hamstring had to forego his second run. In third and fourth place were Team Fox Ohio teammates Dennis Quimper and Jimmy Preuter.

In fifth place was Jason Shaw (Utah), followed by Johnny Buscema (Florida), Mike Sammartino (Florida), Mike Turk (Montana), Augusto Ghimenti (Florida) and Lance Alford (Florida). Winning the Teenage Division was California's Philip Santangelo.

Special note: The UNLV Football Team under the guidance of quarterback coach Vince Alcaldi did an outstanding job spotting and refereeing the event. Thank you to the Outback Steakhouse for keeping the water in abundance and COLD!

Fitness Routines (Sponsored by GEN Nutrition)
Saturday morning as scheduled, the 38 athletes prepared for their routines in the Monte Carlo Ballroom. All the routines were entertaining, but the seasoned veterans showed their athletic prowess. Fighting it out for first place were Gina Oakes and Jennifer Rosen (Tampa, FL). Both athletes dazzled the crowd with their high-flying tumbling and demonstrations of strength and flexibility. When the scores were tabulated, it was Gina (Gforce) going home with the Gold. Third place was a tie between Sandra Augustin and Sheila Law (both scoring a 9.58). Rounding out the top ten were Charisse Rivers, Minde Erickson, Sylvia Ferrero, Debbie Sizemore, Amy Huber and Carla Young. Finishing in 11th place was the expecting mom (2 months pregnant) Lei-Anna Bertelsen.

Fitness Skills (Sponsored by Champion Webhosting.com)

The Fitness Skills portion consists of Bench Press, Box Jumps, and Shuttle Run. As previously mentioned, the "Monsoon" forced the moving of Fitness Skills to Friday night. The skills are a test of strength, agility, speed, power and endurance. Again, the UNLV Football Team served as referees and spotters. A special thank you goes to Mary Mullenhoff who help coordinate and keep the event flowing.

Bench Press
Women - There were 8 women athlete's who scored a perfect 10.0 by performing 50 repetitions with 60 % of their bodyweight. These athletes were: Nicole Weeks, Mariam Power, Sandra Augustin, Tammy Lynn, Minde Erickson, Jennifer Mills, Stephanie Wilkins, and Amy Heberger.

Men - The men had to perform this exercise with 80% of their bodyweight. Scoring a perfect 10.0 with 50 repetitions was Mike Turk. Steve Teran followed with 47 repetitions.

Box Jump
Women - Leading the way with perfect scores (10.0 - under 40 seconds for 50 jumps) were Sylvia Ferrero, Shanay Norvel, Lei-Anna Bertelsen, and Gina Oakes.

Men - Leading the way with perfect scores of 10.0 were: Steve Teran, Johnny Buscema, Jimmy Preuter, and Yanni McCoy.

Shuttle Run
Women - Setting a new shuttle run record was Shanay Norvel with a 35.47.

Men - Steve Teran took home first place in this event with a score of 9.838. Following closely behind were Mike Turk, Tito Degrandis, Yani McCoy, Kevin Flinton, and Bryan Bennett (all scoring in the 9.7's). Champion webhosting.com CEO, Dan Brienza scored a 9.426.

Overall
Women - Susan Oda Law from San Jose, California took home the first place trophy for women with a total score of 9.773 as she edged out Nicole Weeks (9.769), Mariam Power (9.762), Sylvia Ferrero (9.752), Sandra Augustin (9.716), Tammy Lynn (9.701) and Minde Erickson (9.700).

Men - Mike Turk (9.896) came away victorious as edged out Steve Teran (9.846) for the Fitness Skills Title. Tito DeGrandis (9.733) placed third.

OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
In the WTF there are Overall Titles:

1) Tri-Fitness Optional - All 4 events

2) Tri-Fitness - All three athletic events (obstacle, routine, and skills)

3) Dual Fitness Optional - Obstacle, Skills and Grace & Physique

4) Dual Fitness - Only Obstacle and Skills

In the MOCC there is One Title: Dual Fitness - Obstacle and Fitness Skills.

So, despite monsoons and desert heat, who was the Overall WTF Tri-Fitness Queen? Gina Oakes, the former All-American Cheerleader, water skier, and super athlete prevailed and took home both the Tri-Fit and Tri-Fit Optional Titles. The Dual Fitness Optional champion was Sylvia Ferrero and the "Queen of the Obstacle Course" Tonia D'Anna won the Dual-Fitness Title.

The overall Dual Fitness Champion for the Men went to Yorba Linda's Steve Teran, coach of the West Coast Flash and husband of 2001 WTF World Champion Cynthia Hill.

World Challenge 2002 Scores

The Winners