 "Photo: Lizzy Sheppard/The Daily Gamecock")
Ethan Kenney, a fourth-year exercise science student, and Ashley Teague, a second-year biology student, were named Mr. and Miss USC in the 29th annual bodybuilding and figure competition. Hundreds of students and parents packed into the Blatt PE Center to see 14 men and eight women compete for the title.
Kenney, who competed in the heavyweight division, placed ahead of Ben Garrett, a fourth-year chemistry and physics student who placed second; Travis Killian, a first-year business student who placed third; and Morgan O'Donnell, a third-year economics student.
"I was really surprised to win," Kenney said. "I hadn't practiced that much and bodybuilding isn't really my thing. I'm glad I did it."
Teague was also excited that her hard work paid off in the form of being named Miss USC.
"All of my friends and family came to watch, and it was nice to win in front of them," Teague said. "I was really surprised. I worked really hard for the past two weeks, dieting and running six miles a day. It was definitely nice to win."
Kelly Holder, a third-year physical education student, came in second place for Miss USC.
"I was really excited and surprised that I did so well," Holder said.
Ashley Heyl, a fourth-year theater student, placed third.
"It was a good experience, a good learning experience," Heyl said. "It was fun. I had a blast."
Matt McDaniel, a first-year chemical engineering student, placed first in the middle weight division. James Johnson, a third-year engineering student, came in second place, and Justin Burcham, a public health student, placed third. Eric Brei, a third-year exercise student, and Zach Burns, a first-year nursing student, were also in the middle weight division.
"It was my first time doing a competition, so it was pretty interesting," McDaniel said. "Being able to go out there and win was pretty exciting. I didn't know if I was going to win first because we had some good competition, but I knew I was definitely in the running. I put a lot of work into training all semester, pretty much just school work and working out and training. It all paid off."
First-year statistics student Rodney Otadoy won first place in the lightweight division. Kris Lootier, a fourth-year English and marketing student, came in second place, and Wil Waninger, a second-year biomedical engineering student, came in third place.
"Dieting and training for three months, it felt great. It made it all worth it," Otadoy said of winning. "It was a very exciting event."
The male contestants were judged on presentation, musculinity, symmetry and definition of muscles. The women were judged on poise, figure, skin tone and symmetry.
Harrison Greenlaw, director of orientation and testing, is the Bodybuilding and Fitness Club's advisor. He said the Mr. and Miss USC Championship went well.
"I'm always surprised (by the results)," he said. "I work with them all so closely…I want to give them all a trophy."
Patrick Olson, a first-year journalism student, came to show support for a friend.
"I came strictly for Wil (Waninger)," he said of the light weight contestant. "I know how hard he trained."
Olson, who said he and Waninger work together as lifeguards, enjoyed attending his first bodybuilding and fitness competition.
"I had never seen anything like this," he said. "It was really, really interesting."
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