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Seniors rule bodybuilding on Ridgewood's last day of school

By MIKE TOMPKINS
Published May 16, 2006

NEW PORT RICHEY - At the 17th Mr. and Miss Ridgewood bodybuilding competition in the school's gym on Friday night, a good portion of the Ram community watched aspiring Schwarzeneggers pose.

What they got was more than just a competition.

The event featured 10 females and 17 males, who competed individually and in a couples format. With two-time defending champion Rachel Partlow having graduated, the female field was wide open.

The male field featured defending champion Angelo Musicaro, who last year became the first freshmen to win Mr. Ridgewood.

As much as Friday was intended for the entire student body, it belonged to a couple of seniors. Ryan Memoli and Alexis Heymann, who earlier in the day strolled through the halls for the last time as students, capped the evening by capturing the titles.

For Memoli, earning the 6-foot tall trophy caught him by complete surprise.

"I really thought (Musicaro) had me beat," Memoli said. "I was just hoping to come home with something."

A soccer player who will play at Florida Gulf Coast University, Memoli said he was always working out, but he said he never anticipated joining the event until "about three months ago."

He said the more he thought about it, the more he wanted it.

"People were telling me that I was looking better and better," he added. "I just kept gaining confidence. About three weeks ago I almost decided not to do it, but I thought, "I'm an underdog, and I'm a senior.' I wasn't going to lose it."

He didn't. In fact, Memoli's soccer playing may have been what won him the title.

"His legs were really defined," said assistant football coach Brian Wachtel, one of 11 judges. "Really thick, muscular definition in his calves. I think that was a big determining point."

"I agree," added coach Joe Kelly, another judge. "A lot of the guys were really defined up top. But the legs set him apart. But he is a soccer player, so it wasn't really surprising."

Unlike Memoli, Heymann's focus started much longer ago.

"This year I focused on my definition a lot more," Heymann said. "I also cut back on the junk food. My mom helped me plan out my meals and eat a lot better. This was a year-round commitment. It's nice to go out with a blast."

For the men, Musicaro was named best heavyweight. Travis Bronder, last year's best lightweight, was named best middleweight. Shane Cox was chosen as best lightweight and heavyweight Aaron Jackson earned best abs for the second year in a row.

For the girls: Meghan Seltman, best symmetry; Chelsea Alicea, best legs; Heather Bertling, best abs, and Kristine Petrizzi, showmanship.

Musicaro and Seltman won the couples competition with their cowboy-inspired routine. The event, created by former Ridgewood and current Wesley Chapel football coach John Castelamare, raised more than $2,100 in ticket sales alone. Money was also raised through sponsorships, a raffle, and concessions. The money for the Rams' Athletic Booster Club is dispersed among all sports.

"I'll was sweating a little bit in the beginning," second-year event organizer J.D. Baker said. "But honestly, it was one of the best I've seen, and I'm not being biased because it was mine. Everyone I've talked to said it was unbelievable."

[Last modified May 16, 2006, 01:50:15]