MenŐs Lightweight competitors Mike Patino (left) and Justin Schwartz flex for both crowd and judges during the Mr. CHS Fitness Competition Friday. Patino won the division, while Schwartz placed third. Photo by Dan Shepard

David Bierria, who has been running the event since 1999, said the ill weather Friday definitely affected the number of patrons supporting the event.

“We probably had 250 there, but we've had a capacity of 600 with others standing (in overflow) before. The snow had a impact on numbers,” he said.

This year's competition had 13 entrants, with Tammy Edwards, Kaylee Farris and Melissa Apodaca in the women's 5-foot-4-inch and under figures event; Stephanie Edmiston, Christine Frey and Sarah Hammock in the women's 5-foot-4-inch and above category.

In the men's bodybuilding competition, Shawn Morgan ran unopposed in the lightweight division, with Josh Lewis, Mike Patino and Justin Schwartz in the middleweight category, and Chaz Johnson and Jeff Schwarz at light heavyweight.

Patino and Apodaca also competed in the mixed pairs. Apodaca was also the only woman in the bodybuilding competition.

Frey won the overall figures competition, defeating Farris in the finals, judged by four people, including head judge Garry Lodoen, the main promoter of the 2008 Alaska Statewide Bodybuilding Championships.

The competition was emceed by 1969 Chugiak High student body president Lindsay Knight, who flew in from Kodiak for the event.

“We're hoping to get Lindsay (Knight) back for next year as it will be his 40th year since graduating from Chugiak,” said Bierria.

Knight was one of two guest posers for the event, including 1998 Mr. Chugiak winner Jim Hartley. Hartley continued on with the sport, winning local National Physique Committee (NPC) events, said Bierria.

Hammock and Patino won this year's Best Female and Male Poser honors.

Reach the reporter at news@alaskastar.com.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, May 1, 2008.