MacCubbin, Kuba finish event strong

MacCubbin won the lightweight novice class, and Kuba finished third in the teenage division.

"There were a couple of guys bigger than me, but the judges were looking for the lean look," MacCubbin said. "The people who dieted hard had the advantage."

Kuba came into the competition with a bigger look and wasn't as lean as the top two competitors in his class.

"He was twice the size of everybody in his class, but he wasn't as cut. You never know what the judges are looking for at different competitions," MacCubbin said. "It all depends on where the show is. Judges at one show will look for the cuts, whereas the same judges at another show will look for size. It's a big guessing game. You just go in and hope that you finish in the top five."

Kuba will compete in two more events this year as a teenager before moving into the individual weight ranks. MacCubbin will stay in lightweight after taking time off to care for his new child.

"I need to put on some more size," MacCubbin said. "I could probably add seven pounds and stay in lightweight. I wouldn't care to go middleweight, but in those national competitions that middle class is tough."

Teammates Casey Morgan and Louis Been will compete in the Illinois Championships at Rockford, Ill., this weekend.

"Casey was a big help to Kyle and me," MacCubbin said. "He has been training hard. We wish him the best."

Adam Miller will compete in the Mr. Missouri event and the Caveman Classic later this year.