Only the strong

Spring is here and the Cinco Center is packed with students.Most students hit the weights to look good for swimsuit season, buta few have a set goal in mind, the 2004 Mr. and Ms. SMUbodybuilding contest.

Every year the contest consists of anywhere from two to eightcontestants both male and female. Participants must be SMUstudents, drug-free and have not competed in a previousbodybuilding contests.

“This is a novice competition which means you could neverhave won a previous competition before. Once you have won a title,you are no longer a novice competitor,” said Tim A. Moore,associate director of recreational sports.

Moore started the contest seven years ago when he moved toDallas after winning the 1990 Mr. University of Louisvillebodybuilding contest.

“I wanted to have a competition here and thought it wasimportant for it to be a drug-free contest, so both large and smallstudents have an equal chance,” Moore said.

The contest is judged by three or four people from the SMUcommunity, and judged on three main categories: muscularity,vascularity, and symmetry.

Muscularity is the judge of overall

mass and size. Vascularity is the competitor’s leanness,determined by the amount of visible veins. Symmetry is the judge ofthe body and muscle proportions.

Senior finance major Andy Schank will compete for themen’s title for the first time since he started training forit his freshman year.

“This will be my first competition. I have watched thepast three years and know what to expect,” Schank said.

To prepare competitors learn poses and are placed on a verystrict diet.

“In the off season I was 6’3″ and 270 pounds,and now with my diet I’m 6’3″ and 245pounds,” Schank said.

“I have not changed my routine since deciding to enter thecontest two months ago. I workout everyday, but I did have tochange my diet,” said sophomore business major ChristieIndianos.

Indianos is competing in the women’s division for thefirst time.

“I don’t know much about the competition, but Ithought it would be fun to try,” Indianos said.

Students interested in competing are urged to sign up at theCinco Center.

The competition takes place Wednesday April 21 at 9:00 p.m. atthe Hughes Trigg Theatre.