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2nd Annual Biggest Loser Wraps Up With Finale

	Rachel Brandes Moapa Valley Progress Submitted Apr. 9, 2008 The Ron Dalley Theatre was full of Big Losers on Tuesday, April 1. This is not a bad thing! The 2nd Annual Biggest Loser competition came to a close on Tuesday as competitors and their families and friends came together for their final weigh-in. This season brought out 21 teams of 5 to 6 people that wanted to begin or continue their journey to healthier		Scott King, Eric DuPee, Chole Garcia, Angel Garcia and Tony Rigoni, The Big Blue Machine, the winning team for the 2nd Annual Moapa Valley Biggest Loser competition.
	lifestyle. Without volunteers like coaches Brent Hauver and Paula Pulsipher and mentors Roy Simmonds, Stacey Vassar, and Crystal and Russ Allen this competition would not have been possible. Let us not forget the help of Dr. Blaine Chambers who assisted and gave guidance throughout the competition. For the past three months the coaches, mentors and contestants met for competitions, weigh-ins, walks, weight lifting, and seminars. In the end, the total pounds lost for all contestants combined totaled an impressive 1,342 lbs. During the finale each team was introduced as a slide show of their previous size was shown. Each contestant stepped on the Biggest Loser scale for the last time during the competition. Dr. Chambers gave a motivational speech to the group and three contestants spoke about their journey. Melissa Fabbi, Barbara Reeves, and Bobbi Chandler all spoke about their road to weight loss and the impact this competition has had on their lives. Although all participants are winners in their own right, the official competition winners were announced. The Big Blue Machine emerged victorious with their weight loss efforts. This team together lost a total of over 19% body fat. Team members include Captain Eric DuPee, Tony Rigoni, Chole and Angel Garcia, and Scott King. Each team member received over $1,000 cash for their achievement. Team Hopeful Hotties came in 2nd place with a total of 14.63% body fat lost and the Moapa Six Pack in 3rd with a total of 12.96% body fat lost. The top three individual winners were also announced. The top three men and women outside of the winning team were awarded great prizes including Lin’s food gift cards, chiropractic adjustments, product packages from Sage Health, movie passes, gas cards, two-night stay at the Casablanca in Mesquite, and Patio Boat rentals on Lake Mead. The top three women were Jill Barazza in 3rd losing 13.59% body fat, Chris Applegate in 2nd losing 16.48% body fat, and Margaret Houston in 1st place losing 19% body fat. Top three men included Sam Vassar in 3rd losing 14.16% body fat, Dallas Larsen in 2nd losing 15.95% body fat, and David Culp in 1st place losing 19.74% body fat. Mention was made of two men from the winning team that out-lost everybody. Tony Rigoni lost a total of 27.14% body fat and 63.5 pounds and Eric DuPee lost a total of 28.27% body fat and 86.5 pounds. In addition to the great cash prize and other prizes Dr. Edward Ofori, OBGYN in Mesquite donated $500 cash to Margaret Houston and David Culp for their accomplishments as the man and woman losing the most body fat during the competition. Many great donations of time, prizes, and assistance were made by generous sponsors. Grant Hanevold and MVHS, Kelly Bledsoe Massage, Redd Hills Cinema, Mesquite Physicians, Echo Bay Resort, Sage Health and Empowerment, Oasis Resort and Casino, Dr. Staley, Dr. Askeroth, Lin’s Marketplace, Maverick Gas Station, Ace Hardware, Home Hardware, Doug Konold, Adam Hardy and Comnett, Brittany Reeves, Dr. Chambers and his wife, the mentors and captains.