WTF National Qualifier 2001
Tampa, Florida – Sept. 29-30, 2000
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most fit, feminine, athlete of them all? Well, 50 stunning and accomplished athletes embarked on Tampa’s School for the Performing Arts on September 29 and 30. These athletes would run an 150 yard obstacle course, be judged in a Brazilian cut swimsuit for grace and physique, perform a choreographed fitness routine and compete in three fitness skills (box jumps, shuttle run, and bench press). This event would produce 3 Overall Champions: Women’s Division, Teenage, and Masters (over 40).
Then answer to the mirror, mirror question was answered when Gina Oakes, Tara Muhlbauer, and Giselle Cronan stepped forward to answer the call. Oakes, a native of Burlington, N.C. and a graduate of Appalacian State College, earned first place honors in the Women’s Division. With her extensive cheerleading and track background, Gina proved slightly too much for second place finisher Patti Franklin of the Maryland Movers. Gina’s first place finish in the routine round and third place finish in the physique was too much to overcome for Patti, despite Franklin’s overall first place (9.7) in the Fitness Skills. In the Teenage Division, Tara Muhlbauer of Weirsdale, Florida, took home the gold. This fleet footed, highflying athlete earned first placed honors overall in the Tri Fitness thus proving too much for the oher 5 teenagers. Tara, 17, is a senior at Belleview High School in Belleview, Florida. She plans to attend Cortland University on a gymnastic scholarship. Giselle Cronan of Miami, Florida, was the master of the Masters as she earned first place honors in that division. Although she is 44 years young, Cronan proved the one is never too old to flip and fly. Giselle is the mother of two boys, 19 and 13 and is a personal trainer and aerobic instructor.
First place in the grace and physique event went to Julie Green. Julie, a school teacher in New Mexico, is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Masters Degree in Education. This former higfh school gymnast and athlete came into the show in exquisite shape. After the athletes were judged in symmetry, firmness, grace and poise, and overall appearance, Julie edged out Lea Montelongo (Chicago, Illinois) and Gina Oakes. It was amazing that Lea competed as she was involved in a severe automobile accident just one week prior to the event.
The amazing and highly talented Gina Oakes tumbled and jumped her way to victory in the Fitness Routine Event. The former college cheerleader showed great enthusiasm and skill of strength and flexibility as she outscored Tara Mulbauer (second) and Kimmy Tumminia (third). Oakes, a veteran of the fitness world, scored a 9.45 with an amazing routine as she wooed the audience. Tara, the talented gymnast who is coached by seasoned fitness athlete Kristin Coleman finished a strong second while Kimmy Tumminia, the Miami, Florida, personal trainer and aerobic instructor came in third.
The Maryland Movers took a sweep of first, second, and third in the Fitness Skills Event with their outstanding athletes: Patti Franklin, Dora Overs, and Andrea Montgomery. Franklin, outdistanced the rest of the athletes with an overall score of 9.7. Her consistency in the bench press with 37 reps, 24 points in the shuttle run and total of 36 box jumps were 6 points ahead of her captain, Dora Overs. Dora, a sensational obstacle course runner, maintained a one point lead over teammate Andrea Montgomery. As for individual event honors, the leading box jumpers were Lori Abnathy of Tampa and Vida Garcia from Maryland with 40 each. In the bench press, the leaders were Patti Franklin with 37, Dora Overs and Andrea Montgomery with 36 each, and Renee Sumners of Tampa with 35.
The Premier event of the WTF challenge is the Obstacle Course. After all the athletes negotiated the 10 foot wall, running grid, monkey bars, cargo net, shuttle run, hurdles, steeple chase jump, sprint and under and over bars the champion was teenage sensation Tara Muhlbauer. With a time of 52 seconds, Tara withstood the challenge of Lori Abernathy and Tonia D’Anna, both in at 54 seconds. This event was run under the lights on the beautiful turf at Blake High School Football Stadium. Other athletes running under one minute were the following: Patti Franklin, Megan Kemp, Denise Crowell, Amy Pierce, Laura Giancarlo, Vida Garcia, Dora Overs, Andra Kucera, and Gina Oakes.
The Dual Fitness Award, which is a total of the Obstacle Course and Fitness Skills went to the fantastic Patti Franklin. Again, Patti outdistanced Dora Overs, Tara Muhlbauer, Andrea Montgomery, and Amy Pierce.
In other WTF action, the Maryland Movers won the 800 yard obstacle relay with the team of Vida Garcia, Patti Franklin, Dora Overs, and Bruce Montgomery. They overcame the challenge of the Tampa Bay Thunder Team of Abnathy, Crowell, Michelle Cerrito and Sumners.
| Tri-Fitness Champions Tara Muhlbauer – Teenage Gina Oakes – Women Giselle Cronan – Masters |
| Tara Muhlbauer – Teenage Champion |
| Gina Oakes – Women’s Champion |
| Tri-Fitness All-Around Gina Oakes Tara Muhlbauer Patti Franklin Julie Green Amy Pierce Kimmy Tumminia Giselle Cronan Lisa Mastro Megan Kemp Traci Shoop Starla Maurer |
Dual Fitness Overall Patti Franklin Dora Overs Tara Muhlbauer Andrea Montgomery Amy Pierce Andra Kucera Lori Abnathy Gina Oakes Julie Green Vida Garcia |
Grace and Physique Julie Green Lea Montelongo Gina Oakes Tara Muhlbauer Karen Perez Renee Sumners Amy Pierce |
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| Obstacle Course Tara Muhlbauer Lori Abnathy Tonia D’Anna Patti Franklin Megan Kemp Fitness Routine |
Fitness Skills Patti Franklin Dora Overs Andrea Montgomery Tara Muhlbauer Julie Green Gina Oakes Amy Pierce Kimmy Tumminia Andra Kucero Gina DeFransisco |
Team Challenge Maryland Movers: Franklin Overs Garcia Montgomery |
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