Mr. and Ms. SMU take center stage

Rock-hard abs, buns of steel and back spreads imitating the span of an eagle’s wings describe the display of athleticism at the sixth annual Mr. and Ms. SMU bodybuilding competition Wednesday night in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center.

A crowd of fraternities, sororities, parents and friends brought signs and cheers to motivate competitors to put forth their best efforts.

It was standing room only in the back of the student center’s theater as the crowd anticipated the introduction of the competitors.

Michele Cohen, Nina Knell, Corrie Clark and Amber Cortese competed for the title of Ms. SMU.

The contest began with group poses, including the front laterals, side triceps, rear double biceps, calves, abdomen poses and the crowd favorite, most muscular.

“It takes a lot,” said junior history major Cohen, who competed in the event last year and placed third. “I enjoy doing it, but there are days that I felt like I wanted to drop out, but I kept with it.”

In addition to group poses, each competitor performed a choreographed routine to the music of their choice. The routine gave everyone an opportunity to show off their best features.

“I wanted to see what kind of shape I could get my body in with the right diet and weight training,” junior advertising major Knell said.

Following the final women’s pose off, Cohen was named as this year’s Ms. SMU. Cortese placed second followed by Knell who took third and Clark placed fourth.

Cohen saw the competition as a first-year and decided to become a participant as a sophomore.

The competition quickly shifted gears from bikinis to Speedos as the male competitors, Matt Auste and Arnold Shokouhi, vyed for this year’s title of Mr. SMU.

After the votes were tallied, Shokouhi, was awarded the coveted title. He has anticipated winning the award since his freshman year,

“It feels good,” said Shokouhi who is a senior business major. “The dieting is probably the most intense thing anybody has ever gone through.”

In his individual routine, Shokouhi performed to Black Rob’s “Like Whoa!” He opened his performance by moving his pectoral muscles to the beat of the music, and received “oohs” and “ahhs” from the audience.

Auste said he is not disappointed with second place, because he enjoyed competing against Shokouhi.

“I’m glad I disciplined myself to do this,” Auste said.

Penn and Ade Auste were present to support their son. “We’re very proud of Matt. He’s been on a strict diet for about four months,” Ade Auste said. “He’s been very disciplined with his nutrition,” Penn Auste said.

After the intense competition, Auste and Shokouhi devoured Krispy Kreme donuts to celebrate the end of their extreme diets.

Other awards handed out during the evening included best male and female poser; Knell and Auste took home the honors.