From champions to challengers, everyone knew the the National Physique Committee of the USA’s Southern States Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships at the War Memorial Auditorium would literally and figuratively be a strong field. But few realized just how strong.

“This competition was a national qualifier,” said Jack Piscitelli of Fort Lauderdale, who’s been competing since 1988. “In the 23-year history of this event, this was the biggest one ever. The caliber of the bodybuilders was tremendous. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

A total of 213 competitors entered, the largest number ever. The men’s overall winner in the Super Heavyweight Division was Albert Woolridge, 36, of Wilton Manors. The overall women’s winner was Loleta Riley of Pembroke Pines. Other winners:

Men: Grand masters (over 70): Gene Schlossberg (71), St. Augustine. Over 60: Richard Lumbrino (60), Stuart. Over 50: Larry Pyle, Raleigh, N.C. Over 40: Jamie Howard, Tampa. Over 35: Roger Hernandez, Miami. Teens: Ian Schofeld, Melbourne. Open: Albert Woolridge, Wilton Manors. Women masters (over 30): Charmaine McNabb, Sunrise. Open: Loleta Riley, Pembroke Pines. Fitness winners: Men: 1. Manuel Mair, Coral Springs; 2. Johann Donawa, Delray Beach; 3. Carlos Marquez, North Miami Beach. Women: Teens: Jessi Canaan, Boca Raton; Katrina Sanz, Miami; 3. Yvonne Sanders, Miami. Overall fitness: Carla Freda, Hallandale. Masters fitness: Gisela Cronan, Miami.

Other Broward competitors: Dennis Passy, Deerfield Beach; John Szpindor, Fort Lauderdale: Jack Piscitelli, Mario Grondin, Sherilyn Murray, Bob Peloquin; Hollywood: Arlene Cummings, Maritza Cummings; Margate: Bobbie Young; Parkland: Mary Stavrinos; Pembroke Pines: Jerome Boyd; Plantation: Magalie LeLievre; Sunrise: Raquel Napier; Coconut Creek: Christine Wan; Cooper City: Mavis Ally; Coral Springs: Jessica James, Bruce McGregor; Davie: Linda Shoemaker, Marlene Harden; Hollywood: Adam Yezer; Margate: Jami Rubin; Pembroke Pines: Angela Conner, Jodi Frum; Pompano Beach: Amber Germain; Tamarac: Steven Melendez.

Cobras ready to strike

Monday was only the first day of practice for the Boyd Anderson Cobras, but first-year coach Malcolm Spence was already pleased with the progress.

“We’re looking pretty good out there,” Spence said. “We had a good offseason conditioning program, so the guys were ready. The next two weeks are going to tell a lot.”

The Cobras are coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent history. The team finished at 7-3 and advanced to the regional semifinal in their first playoff appearance since 1996.

This season will also mark the first time Spence has coached football at his alma mater. He believes that his experiences as a player will serve as an inspiration to his players.

“I’m a little rusty with the coaching, but it’s a dream come true to come back and coach your alma mater,” Spence said. “It’s a great feeling. We have had some decent coaches here in the past and we want to continue on with what they did. We want to try and bring a little tradition back to Boyd Anderson.”

The Cobras lost several talented seniors including Sun-Sentinel All-County players Cornelius Birgs, David Walker and Abdul Hodge, but Spence is counting on several returning starters to lessen the impact.

Wide receivers Jimmy Toussaint and Javaris Lakes and running back Adrian Dailey are expected to play a big part of Spence’s new offensive scheme, the wing-T offense. Also returning to the offense is quarterback Roosevelt Kiser and offensive linemen Danny Persaud and Johnny Pierre.

“It’s hard to say where we’re going to be dangerous,” Spence said. “But offensively, our receiving corps is right up there. On defense, it’s a toss-up between the line and the linebackers. Those are all going to be strong points.”

Spence and the Cobras’ have recently learned that their new stadium will not be ready in time for the beginning of the season. Spence said the opportunity to play at home is valuable, but the Cobras will adjust.

“We’ll have one year of inconvenience for hopefully 10, 15 years of convenience,” Spence said. “You’ve got to play where the schedule sends you. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Miami or Orlando. There’s nothing like playing at home, but you just can’t make excuses.”

Spence and his staff are concerned with plenty more than just scheduling. With the recent deaths of Minnesota Viking tackle Korey Stringer and University of Florida freshman Eraste Autin, the Cobras’ staff is making sure players are well taken care of.

Practice times have been moved to cooler parts of the day and Spence has worked to educate his staff about the symptoms of heat stroke. Two-a-day practices have been cut back to only three a week, as opposed to five. Spence is confident those changes will keep his football team safer and healthier.

Junior Golf

Ryan Burr fired a 3-over par 75 to win the senior boy’s flight of the Junior Golf Association of Broward County Championship at the Coral Ridge Country Club. His 75 was one shot better than Michael Dubick of Coral Springs and Jonathan Kanoff of Fort Lauderdale.

Hagen Weintraub of Pembroke Pines fired a 78 which was two shots better than runner-up Jessica Carafiello of Coral Springs and Hallandale’s Pam Webb. Burr and Weintraub were also awarded the Julius Boros and Carol Mann trophies for the low stroke averages for the summer events.

Al Latimer, treasurer for JGA and who coordinates the Web site, said the event couldn’t have been as successful if it weren’t for the cooperation of all the clubs in the county and particularly the Coral Ridge Country Club.

Results from the July 30 Junior Golf Association Championship.

Boys’ Senior-18 Holes: 1. Ryan Burr (Pembroke Pines) 75, Cooper City High School; 2. Michael Dubick (Coral Springs) 76, Cardinal Gibbons High; 3. Jonathan Kanoff (Fort Lauderdale) 76, University School.

Boys’ Junior-18 Holes: 1. Kyle Hitchcock (Parkland) 71, Coral Springs Middle; 2. Grant Leeper (Weston) 78, Western High School; 3. Brandon Scanlon (Cooper City) 78, Archbishop McCarthy High School.

Boys’ A-18 Holes: 1. Brian Bode (Fort Lauderdale) 83, Cardinal Gibbons High School; 2. Ryan Collins (Davie) 84, St. David; 3. ChadLubart (Coral Springs) 85, Taravella High School.

Boys’ B-9 Holes: 1. Billy Fazio (Coral Springs) 38, Sawgrass Springs Middle; 2. Ryan Shpak (Weston) 39, Sagemont; 3. Wayne Rokos (Pompano Beach) 41, Deerfield Middle.

Boys’ C-7 Holes: 1. Glen Santayana, Jr. (Margate) 29, St Thomas Aquinas; 2. Michael Horn (Boca Raton) 29, Boca Raton Christian; 3. Andrew Campion (Sunrise) 30, Bair Middle

Boys D-10 Holes: 1. Curtis Thompson (Coral Springs) 41, Westchester Elementary; 2. Joseph Anderson (Plantation) 42, Plantation Middle; 3. Jonathan Schulman (Weston) 43, Tequesta Trace Middle.

Boys’ E-5 Holes: 1. Sean Schwartz (Davie) 17, Flamingo Elementary; 2. Sean Cassidy (Weston) 18; Home Schooled; 3. Kristopher Millican (Fort Lauderdale) 20, St. Mark’s.

Boys’ F-6 Holes: 1. Jon Michael White (Plantation) 33, Plantation Park Elementary; 2. Brett Gasaway (Coral Springs) 33, St. Andrew’s; 3. Christopher Messana (Plantation) 34, St. Gregory.

Girls’ Senior-18 Holes: 1. Hagen Weintraub (Pembroke Pines) 78, Posnack Hebrew Day; 2. Jessica Carafiello (Coral Springs) 80, Taravella High School; 3. Pam Webb (Hallandale) 80, St. Thomas.

Girls’ A-9 Holes: 1. Nicole DeJesus (Weston) 40, St. Thomas; 2. Brittany Scanlon (Cooper City) 49 Sheridan Hills Christian; 3. Taylor Collins (Davie) 49, St. David.

Girls’ B-10 Holes: 1. Monica Garbizo (Coral Springs) 47, Sawgrass Springs Middle; 2. Christina Amoriello (Coral Springs) 51, Eagle Ridge Middle; 3. Victoria Bujalski (Pompano Beach) 52, St. Coleman’s.

Girls’ C-6 Holes: 1. Kasey Zacharias (Plantation) 52; Plantation Park Elementary; 2. Rachael Shpak (Weston) 52, Sagemont; 3. Kimberly Price (Pembroke Pines) 62, Lakeside Elementary.