Bodybuilders strut stuff

The crowd and the competitors were both pumped with anticipation. All were anxious to see who would be the next Mr. and Ms. SMU for 2002.

Wednesday night, as sweat poured down well-oiled bodies, the Mr. and Ms. SMU bodybuilding championship took place in the Hughes-Trigg Theater. The competition included three male and seven female competitors all ripped for the showdown.

The fifth annual competition produced a new Mr. SMU, Trent Stephenson, and Ms. SMU, Jennifer Thomas.

The male competition normally focuses on muscle mass and posing techniques as opposed to the women’s competition, which focuses primarily on the three F’s: Fitness, Flexibly and Finesse. The women’s routine incorporates dance, gymnastics and posing.

Stephenson, a sophomore, won the men’s competition at a height of 5 feet 7 inches and a weight of 162 pounds.

“I decided to do the competition to test myself and see what my body was capable of,” Stephenson said. “I am interested in health and nutrition.”

Stephenson’s trainer, Cune Pena, has been working and encouraging the young athlete since Dec. 31, 2001.

Pena, owner of Premier Fitness Gym, has been in the fitness industry for over 13 years.

“I was a competitive body builder for eight years. I know a good athlete when I see one,” Pena said.

Many members of the football team rallied behind Stephenson, a former walk-on kicker.

Jennifer Thomas, a dance major, took home 1st place in the women’s competition. Standing at 4 feet 11 inches and weighing 115 pounds, Thomas’ body glistened in the stage lights.

“This competition is a new way to perform, since I enjoy dancing,” Thomas said. “Dance keeps you in shape, more than people would think. I dance at least six hours a day.”

Dancing at Brown Bag, Thomas showcased her abilities, but nothing could prepare her for the showdown last night.

“I was really nervous. That’s why [the competition] was hard. The hardest part was getting on stage in a bikini,” Thomas said.

James Robinson, a senior history major, was happy that Thomas won first place.

“Jennifer was off the chain. Some people say she was small in stature, but when I first saw her on the stage I was like, ‘Man!’ “

Ryan Smith, a second-year law student, who stands at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 205 pounds, won “Best Poser” and second place.

Smith enjoyed the friendly competition.

“There’s nothing like being on stage and competing in front of a room of screaming people,” Smith said. “It’s fun because everyone is friends and we help each other out. Trent and I are good friends, so it made the competition even more fun.”

This is Smith’s third time to compete for Mr. SMU.

“I’m happy [with the outcome] because the contest gets better every year. It takes a lot of practice, because it’s hard to hold a pose for 10 seconds. I’ve really improved since last year,” Smith said.

Kristin Smith, a sophomore biology major, won first place in last year’s competition.

“This year there’s more girls. I think the girls realized that you don’t have to be a big body builder,” Smith said. “All it takes is being toned and in shape, but not ridiculously big.”