Former Marine Nick Martinson looked like he was on a mission as he entered Leelanau Sands Casino Saturday to culminate his return to bodybuilding competition.

NICK MARTINSON enters the Leelanau
Sands Casino with his body stained dark
and built up for competition.

Mission accomplished.

Martinson, who ran up titles and accumulated trophies while in the service as a body builder, placed first among 20 entries in his division.

He was one of more than 50 competitors at the Grand Traverse Bodybuilding & Figure Championships, a competition played out before an appreciative crowd of 750 jammed into the Leelanau Sands Showroom.

“Anybody who goes to these comes away saying they loved the show,” said Vern Gauthier, who with his brother Jeff own First For You Health Center in Traverse City. The center sponsored the show.

The satisfaction felt by Martinson, whose daytime role is that of funeral director at Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay, was not so much in the show but more in the knowledge that at 37-years-old he could still get his body in condition to compete with the best of the best.

“It’s nice to get back in the game,” said Martinson in the lobby of the Sands prior to the show. “The last time I competed was in 2001. So it will be neat to take a true test and see if I can compete with the 20-somethings.”

Martinson took on a regiment after time ran out in the Super Bowl that would eat up most men his age. He’s been dieting, running 3-5 miles a day and lifting weight five days a week. He pumps a 315-pound bench press six or seven times as part of his routine.

His weight dropped from 180 pounds down to 151 pounds on the day of his competition. The last 10-15 pounds lost was in water, leaving only lines of muscle for the judges to see.

“I’m bone dry and cotton mouthed. I know there is no water in me,” said Martinson.

SALLY POMANTE (left) and Kimberly
Purdy were both winners at the Body-
building and Figure Championships held
Saturday in Peshawbestown.

Toss in a couple body stainings on that same day, and he was ready to compete — fairly.

Don’t mention steroids to Martinson — he’s never taken them, and abhors them.

“I just went from 180 pounds to 151 pounds. That’s not steroids. That’s a lot of work,” he said.

Kris Britten, who graduated from Suttons Bay before moving to Traverse City, has spent time pumping iron herself. She was appreciative of the hard work put in by performers to sculpture their bodies.

“I have a great time at all of the shows. I try to give them support. They work awfully hard,” she said.

Martinson left the show with more than another award before going back to the around-the-clock business of running a funeral home.

“I feel 10 years younger. I’m in pretty darn good shape for an old guy,” he said.

Winners at the show were Sally Pomante (master - women and short - women), Kimberly Purdy (tall - women), Jamie Lambert (figure - open), Nikki Vogler (figure - over 30), Brad Clinkscales (grand master - men), Lonny Penny (master - men), Martinson (men - short) and Jason Dirheimer (men - tall).