Redemption

Cedric McMillan, 11th last season, bounces back to win NY Pro

Big Mac wasn’t any small fry this time around in the Big Apple. Cedric McMillan, the 2009 overall Nationals champ, who had been called the “next Lee Haney” by some folks in the know based on his 6’1″, 260-pound aesthetic physique, looked more like mini-sliders at the 2011 contest. Coming off a victory at the Europa Super Show a year ago, ,he was way, way off en route to a shocking 11th place finish at the Bev Francis/Steve Weinberger production, held annually at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center on the campus of Manhattan Community College.

From reports I’ve gotten from several sources who were at the contest (and from looking at his pictures), Ced was a new man on stage on Saturday en route to a powerful victory over runner-up Johnnie Jackson and three rookies: third place finisher Steve Kuclo, fourth place winner Juan Morel and fifth place honoree Jonathan Delarosa.

In the 212 and under competition, home town fave Kevin English, the three-time Olympia 202 and under winner, notched another victory in the newly created class—but not without a bit of controversy. At least according to a source in the audience. “Sure, Kevin is thick as hell, tons of muscle,” he voiced into the phone, “But Sami Alhaddad was in great condition, and has beautiful shape. For me money, Sami took the class easily.”

Mark Anthony Wingson kept on rolling in the men’s physique, scoring his third consecutive victory in 2012, finishing ahead of Collin Humphrey and Eddie Baird, respectively.

NY Pro-Open

1. Cedric McMillan
2. Johnnie Jackson
3. Steve Kuclo
4. Juan Morel
5. Jonathan Delarosa
6. Vaughn Ettienne
7. Tomas Bures
8. Mohammad Touri
9. Jeff Long
10. Sean Allan
11. Wendell Floyd

212

1. Kevin English
2. Sami Alhaddad
3. Jose Raymond
4. Marco Rivera
5. Gus Cisterino

Pro Men’s Physique

1. Mark Wingson
2. Collin Humphrey
3. Eddie Baird
4. Angelo Marasca
5. Anthony Scotti