Super-Hair.Net

City League Champions

PORTLAND: SHAUNA PARSONS.

The most-praised woman in what some considered a dull field didn't last two weeks -- while this TV journalist made quick work of the competition. Her natural-looking shoulder-length look defeated Kelley Day in the final round 12-7 (63%).

(Third through tenth place: Jessica Morket, Anna Song tied; Christine Ferreira, Christina Feyen, Debra Gil, Kimberly Schuster, Stephanie Stricklen, Angelica Thornton all tied.)

CLEVELAND: "AMANDA."

This mysterious all-star dancer for the basketball Cavaliers (and a restaurant hostess as well) becomes the most famous head of hair there since Anderson Varejao. She survived a record-long nine-week grinder, defeating college basketball assistant coach Annie Thomas in the finals 23-6 (79%). A former champion in Cincinnati did no better than fourth.

(Third through tenth place: Kathleen Cochrane; Suzanne Horgan; Alicia Booth; Tricia Skidmore; Allie Riczo; Alexandra Bagi-Lacie Brenner tied; Stacey Bell.)

MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL: KAREN LEIGH.

The Twin Cities were tough to call for weeks -- but when the field dropped to three, this news reporter's loose shoulder-length style raced away to victory. She crushed co-worker Heather Brown in the finals 26-4 (87%). Honorable Mention goes to a college tennis player, who missed the finals by only one vote.

(Third through tenth place: Liz Tusler; Marni Hughes, Julie Nelson tied; Lauren Gibbemeyer; Amy Hockert, Jamie Reese, Jeanette Trompeter tied; Alexis Russell.)

SHREVEPORT, LA: CASSIE WALTON.

A Hair Fan who knows the area offered nine contenders, and they were praised for showing a wide variety of styles. After a grinding seven-week battle, a real estate agent and mother of three surged at the end and edged TV journalist Jodi Lowery in the finals 16-13 (55%). Walton was praised for hair that's "very soft," and worth the work to have body. Walton also led our 2007 All-Star Challenge, gaining a majority of the votes in a seven-way race.

(Third through tenth place: Sherri Allen, Sonja Bailes tied; Lisa Hargrove; Sherri Smith Cheek; Sydnee Lincoln; Melissa Terry, Katrina Webber, Heidi York tied.)

LAKE CHARLES, LA: NOELIA FURNO.

This one was a bit bizarre, as a recent college graduate whose home is in Argentina (and may not actually live there anymore) won a Southern U.S. title despite displaying a tied-back style. She won the final round over another collegian, Celeste Vannoy -- but only by 6-3, with some voters seemingly unimpressed by the entire field.

(Third through tenth place: Lenissa Lopez; Cynthia Arceneaux, Rebeka Broussard, Shayla Cormier tied; Keely Daughdrill, Haley Henagan, Courtnee' Hollins, Meagan Kelleher tied.)

MEMPHIS: WENDY NATIONS.

This contest turned into a family affair -- as the blog of this TV weathercaster's husband sent out an alert in her behalf! She defeated co-worker Melissa Moon in the finals, but not by much: 25-20 (56%). One fan (and perhaps a relative) wrote Nations "changes from curly to straight and wavy.... and keeps us watching." And a nephew/niece declared her a "neat dudette."

(Third through tenth place: Kate Murphy; April Norris; Lauren Amundson and Tori Gross tied; Tealy Devereaux, Gresh Gorman, Dee Griffin, Markova Reed all tied.)

NEW ORLEANS: "RACHEL M."

We haven't confirmed the last name of this former two-year dancer with the "SaintSations." We know she's only about 20 years old, has attended Delgado Community College -- and we know she's the first cheerleader to be a City League champ. She won an all-dancer one-week final round over "Kirsten," but by only 5-2 (71%).

(Third through tenth place: Lauren Boatwright, Dawn Brown, "Vanessa" all tied; "Michelle;" "Aneshia," Angela Hill, Nancy Parker, Luna Rebrovic all tied.)

FORT WAYNE, IN: CHELSEA SMITH.

Believe it or not, we had eight nominations in this small city - and this college soccer player emerged after a show start as the champion. Her final-round 53-percent win over journalist Heather Herron (8-7) was subject to debate. "Long blonde hair is pretty," one supporter wrote. But others called the style "blah," and Herron's hair "more professional."

(Third through tenth place: Beth Miller; Jennifer Cross, Angela Rodriguez tied; Jennifer Blomquist, Ashley Hunter, Kelly Koh, Crystal Martinez, Jessica Thomas all tied.)

HOUSTON CHALLENGE ROUND: DOMINIQUE SACHSE.

We honestly thought the long blonde hair of co-worker Lauren Freeman would give the reigning champion a fierce challenge. But Sachse succeeded in bringing down her opponent with a strong 65-percent majority (17-9). "Redheads rock!" one supporter roared.

APRIL 2006: The TV news anchor whose hair seems oblivious to her city's oppressive humidity fought off two cheerleaders with the N.F.L. Texans in a great three-way scrum. She took the final round over "Erin" (sorry, we don't know her last name) 16-13 (55%). Sachse went on to lead our third annual All-Star Challenge of city champions by a wide margin.

(Third through tenth place: "Gwen;" Marine Hernandez, Alania Torres tied; Cynthia Cisneros, Krystal Frazier, Maudess Fulton, Stephanie Guerrero, "Tiffany" all tied.)

SAN ANTONIO: URSULA PARI.

A TV reporter pulled a surprise, emerging from a field which Hair Fans admired as high-quality. A poll adjustment midway through the finals opened the way for her to break away and defeat Ainsley Earhardt 35-8 (81%). Pari was praised for having an original look. which "goes great with her eyes."

(Third through tenth place: Sarah Lucero, Delaine Mathieu, Brandy Ralston all tied; Jenny Hansson; Wendy Rigby, Natalia Zea tied; Johanne Lochard, Tanji Patton tied.)

MILWAUKEE: ALISON GILMAN.

This one was rather strange -- as our champion either resigned or was fired from a TV news job (depending on which message board post you believe) as the competition began. Yet her thick helmet-like style finally proved too tough to dislodge, beating Leanne Leamanczyk in the final 11-8 (58%). One unimpressed voter described the overall field as "very similar and not outstanding."

(Third through tenth place: Erin McElroy; Carole Meekins, Toya Washington tied; Rebekah Wood; Silvia Acevedo, Tami Hughes, Shayna Illingsworth, Erin Watkins all tied.)

NEW HAVEN, CT: ANNIE ROURKE.

Yes, she works for a Hartford TV station -- but from the New Haven bureau. Her inviting short style emerged from one of our most evenly-matched fields, edging veteran news anchor Ann Nyberg in a tight final. "Neat, professional and stylish," praised one voter.

(Third through ninth place: Carolyn Schmolz; Sonia Baghdady, Danielle Rodriguez tied; Sara Abbott, Kristen Cusato tied; Kaitlin Emmerling, Tricia Taskey tied.)

ST. LOUIS: CORRINA COLLINS.

The carefully-crafted hair of this TV journalist dominated her city as few have, steamrolling college softball player Kara Sell in the finals 14-1 (93%). "It has more style," wrote one voter, "and has had more attention paid to it."

(Third through tenth place: Cheryl Levick; Amber Dodman, Maggie Norton tied; Kelly Jackson, Sandy Miller, Erin O'Neill, Krista Rasnic, Ann Rubin all tied.)

INDIANAPOLIS: ANGELA BUCHMAN.

The TV meteorologist with "thick and lush" hair (according to one voter) was strong from the start, but almost faded out at the finish. A Colts cheerleader named Tessa D. led her late in the second week of the finals -- but Buchman battled to force a day of extra time, and won 15-14 to claim a vacated title.

(Third through tenth place: Lynnsey Showers, Julie Loncich, Megan Martz, Joy Dumandan, Jennifer Carmack-Maggie Mathieson tied, Molly Casperson-Martha Weaver tied.)

NOVEMBER 2005 CHALLENGE ROUND: MEGHAN HOWARD.

The college softball pitcher ends 2005 with an unbeaten record here, stopping challenger Shana Kelley 8-4 (67%) in admittedly light holiday season voting. Kelley was condemned by one voter for a look which seemed more out of 1975.

AUGUST 2005: The "Butler" did it! A softball pitcher at Butler University pulled off what might be considered a surprise -- outlasting more veteran styles, and winning over weathercaster Angela Buchman in a low-scoring final round 8-4 (67%). One voter found much to admire: "soft, flowing, not too much product, great color: simply fantastic!" Howard also dominated our third annual All-Star match, winning a 61-percent majority without any noticeable ballot-box stuffing.

(Third through tenth place: "Whitney;" Lynsey Showers; Johnica Roach, Martha Weaver tied; Linsey Davis, Michelle Hawes, Tina Simpkin, Stacey Speshyock all tied.)

DETROIT: KAM CARMAN.

A tournament which had a record 15 candidates came down to two division winners, both veterans skilled at strong-holding styles. After a tight first week of the finals, the TV news anchor staged what we considered an upset -- pulling away from the former sportscaster and current wife of the Detroit Tigers President Karie Ross Dombrowski 16-9 in the finals (64%). "She can do no wrong," praised one backer.

(Third through 15th place: Beth McLeod; Heather Catallo; Karen Drew, Lila Lazerus, Christy McDonald, Joann Purtan all tied; Carolyn Clifford; Pallas Hupe, Rhonda Walker tied; Deena Centofonti, Lisa Halushka, Shay Ryan, Ruth Spencer all tied.)

LOUISVILLE, KY CHALLENGE ROUND: ANGIE GLOTZBACH.

The person who nominated Jennifer Baileys as a challenger seemed rather confident, but the champion meteorologist crushed her by a massive margin of 11-2 (85%).

2005: It certainly was "Figg season" (her maiden name, we're now told), as a weathercaster with experience in national TV shows dominated what some complained was a weak field. Her neat short style topped former Miss America Heather French Henry in the finals 13-6 (68%).

(Third through tenth place: Anne Marshall; Julia Harding; Ann Bowdan, Stephanie Collins, Carrie Harned, Abby Miller, Carol Minn, Kim Stevens all tied.)

Read our interview with Angie Glotzbach in Super-Hair Q&A.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - CHALLENGE ROUND: LORI WAKEFIELD.

Realtors must be turning up the hair quality in a tough housing market, because another one prevails here. She easily eliminated champion Kim Barnes 19-6 (76%), and won praise for her "beautiful" look.

2005 - KIM BARNES.

Ever heard of the "Carole Kneeland Project?" She works there now, after years in television news. A picture which some declared old was good enough to top former co-worker Christine Haas in a spirited final 43-28 (61%). While Haas's hair was praised by voters as "most professional, well kept," Barnes won with a style that "looks natural, not polished. It does not look over-styled, as so many celebrities' do."

(Third through tenth place: Bettie Cross; Cindy Goldrick; Elizabeth Dannheim; Sally Hernandez, Teresa Rodriguez, Allison Smith, Connie Swinney, Pat Tate all tied.)

Read our interview with Kim Barnes in Super-Hair Q&A.

KANSAS CITY: MEREDITH HOENES.

This TV journalist with a solid style first caught our eye in Corpus Christi, Texas a few years ago. She moved to a large city and survived an extra-large field which included three "reserve candidates" brought in due to voter complaints. One reserve made the final round, but Carolyn Long fell short by 13-8 (62%).

(Third through 13^th place: Jade Hernandez; Katie Horner; "Shauntel;" Elizabeth Alex, Ann Brock, Kelly Eckerman, Anne Peterson all tied; Kellee Dunn-Walters, Susan Hall, Barbra Porter Hill, Natalie Moultrie all tied.)

Read our interview with Meredith Hoenes in Super-Hair Q&A.

DES MOINES, IA CHALLENGE ROUND: BROOKE BOUMA.

We had a record 16 nominations in this city (and even then, some people complained a better candidate was missing). But the reigning champ from public television waited them all out, and prevailed in the finals over Amanda Lewis 17-8 (68%).

(Short division first through eighth: Erin Kiernan; Trisha Shepherd; Katie Piper; Lisa Carponelli-Stacey Horst tied; Elizabeth Erwin, Sonya Heitshusen, Kerry Kavanaugh tied. Long division second through eighth: Lynn Melling; Emily Givens-Metinka Slater tied; Cynthia Fodor, Elizabeth Klinge, Heidi Soliday, Jannay Towne tied.)

2005: This morning news anchor endured cynical "dyeing" critics to survive a grueling seven-week tournament, winning the final over early leader Karen Schulte 40-18 (69%). Special mention goes to a Drake University volleyball player, who outlasted several well-known local names and finished third.

(Third through tenth place: Lindsey Johnson; Terri Shell; Kathryn Pritchard; Susan Slycord; Jennifer Curtis, Angie Hunt, Amanda Lewis, Heidi Soliday tied.)

NASHVILLE: SARA WALSH.

The leader varied from week to week here -- but when the field was cleared to a final two, this TV sports reporter and her "sooo pretty" shoulder-length style were too strong for Tennessee Titan cheerleader "Kimberly" [last name withheld; ask us if you need to know why]. Walsh's final round 82-percent thumping (18-4) was misleading, considering how competitive several other women were.

(Third through tenth place: Lea Little, Lisa Patton, Denise Davis-Erika Lathon tied; Agia-Amy Marsalis-Heather Orne-Holly Thompson tied.)

SEATTLE CHALLENGE ROUND: REBECCA STEVENSON.

The soft, inviting semi-curl displayed by this meteorologist was too tough for the competition. After an opening week with about 300 votes, she emerged from a six-woman pack and blew away 2003 champion Alison Grande by an 84-percent margin (83-16). Many comments again were left, and here's a sample of them:

"Rebecca's hair adapts for the weather."

"Photos should all be the same size. Bigger photo of Amy Clancy gives her an unfair advantage...." [Yeah, right. She finished third.]

"Go Rebecca, you are very talented, and also beautiful!"

"Amy's change beats them all...."

"Both have great hair, but Rebecca's is more original for an anchor."

"Stevenson's hair looks like a 60's style, a little too cutesy.... actually, I hate it."

"It's a farce Alison ever won!"

"She could fly with those wings." [For Stevenson, we think -- and we wouldn't mind watching that.]

"Who chooses some of these other candidates anyway?" [Actually, we were asked to keep that anonymous.]

Thanks to all who voted - along with someone named "SurfSeattle," who kept plugging our poll on a major television news message board!

(Preliminary: Stevenson defeated Shannon Brinias 25-10. Third through sixth place: Amy Clancy; Meg Coyle-Carolyn Douglas tied; Sally Schulze.)

SEPTEMBER 2003: ALISON GRANDE.

After a wild competition in which the Week 1 leader failed to survive Week 3, this investigative reporter made it a "Grande Final" by whipping Susan West 260-27 (91%). Complaints about bloc voting were made, but never overcome by West fans. "Alison is hip and totally in style," one voter wrote. "Tell your hairdresser to keep up the good work." Grande also led a short "All-Star" vote of City League champions, though more bloc-vote complaints came up.

(Third through sixth place: Susannah Frame, Amy Clancy, Sue Bird-Leslie Miller tie.)

RALEIGH-DURHAM, NC: INDIA LUCAS.

A Hair Fan directed us to this traffic reporter, after the former reigning champion left the area - and she fought through a month of "grid-locks," breaking out of a close final round to defeat Carolyn Costello 14-9 (61%).

(Third through tenth place: Kate Bolduan; Lynda Loveland; Kelcey Carlson, Shelvia Dancy, Melissa Jamerino, Kim Roberts, Jenny Shull, Vanessa Welch all tied.)

2004: TINA TENRET.

She's a news reporter, a meteorologist and a member of a sailing club. That last detail may have turned the race in her favor, as several sailors pulled for her in a final round which followed a record 273-vote Week 3. (We thank the News & Observer paper for that.)

Tenret's tight short style withstood "Hurricane Frances" Scott in a well-fought final 77-51 (60%) -- and the cuts filled our comments section like never before:

"Tina's hair stays great, even sailing on the lake in 20 knots of wind!" [Note: we want pictures of that!]

"Frances's bangs beat Tina's big red cow-lick any day!"

"I love Tina's hair color."

"....Tina and her Bozo the Clown colored hair a distant third."

"Tina's can stand up to those hurricane breezes that she reports from; I doubt Frances' would last on a calm day."

"If Tina's hair is so stiff it can resist hurricane force winds, that's NOT a good thing!"

"Tina is outside all the time; she should get bonus points!"

"Is Frances Scott and Vicki Liviakis the same person?" [Note: not to our knowledge - but we see what you mean.]

"This is another Seattle. The best hair loses."

"Please get them some stylist with a little more edge to them."

Thanks to everyone who voted, left comments, and showed your enthusiasm for top-quality hair!

(Other entries: Stacey Horst third; Stacey Elgin, Allison Landers, Christie Regula; Kaitlin Bailey, Laurie Clowers, Betty Davis, Lynda Loveland all tied.)

LEXINGTON, KY: MIRANDA COMBS.

With all due respect to colonial New England, this was the Battle of Lexington. We had a record opening-week response, then an action-packed and comment-filled final. Our biggest count with voting filters found Combs brushing away Mary Jo Perino 143-98 (59%).

It was a nomination of Perino which brought us to Lexington -- and we discovered Perino actually recruited friends to vote for her! Here's a sample of how the debate went:

"Combs hair-style is the most stylish."

"Mirandas hair looks like Satan himself dyed it. Mary Jo has much better hair and is a beautiful woman no matter who wins,"

"Miranda's hair and face are prettier! DEAL!"

"As for Miranda, I'm not sure what's going on there. It's like kudzu lately. Mary Jo has, by far, the best hair in Lexington."

"There's no comparison, Miranda looks like a professional."

"MJ Is the Hottest!"

"Miranda's hair looks more professional and cosmopolitan."

Thanks to all who voted, and proved people in Kentucky care about great hair!

(Third through eighth place: Nicole Cervantes; Dia Davidson, Emily Gimmel, Marina Jurica, Jennifer Nime, Kristi Runyon all tied.)

DALLAS-FORT WORTH CHALLENGE ROUND: MEGAN HENDERSON.

You've got to get up early to outmatch this morning news anchor's strong style. She defended her title with power, stopping Maria Arita 11-4 (73%) -- but the woman Arita edged in the preliminary final gained all the praise from voter comments.

(Preliminary second-third place: Jackie Hyland, Julie Bologna.)

AUGUST 2004: Did you spot the three Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders in our field? This morning newscaster with what she good-naturedly calls "big hair" outlasted them all, including final-round opponent Adrianna Butler 23-10 (70%). One voter praised Henderson for a style where your hands "probably wouldn't get stuck."

(Third through tenth place: Eileen Gonzales; Misty Duncan-Ashley Melott tied; Marty Copeland, Marjorie Ford, Sandra Hernandez, Karin Kelly, Shannon Oliver all tied.)

MIAMI: DIANA DIAZ.

This TV reporter with a delicate sidepart led every round, but had to overcome a fierce final-round fight over Jill Martin and her alleged "ragged ends" 15-11 (58%). A member of our Ultimate 50 was left embarrassed, with no support at all.

(Third through ninth place: Susan Bennett-Lisa Cabrera tied; Pam Giganti-Jilda Unruh tied; Lindsay Czarniak, Robin Kish, Maria Elvira Salazar all tied.)

CINCINNATI: BECKY CLARK.

How curious is this? A Xavier University student who was second on her own campus (admittedly a filter-free vote) gets even here, by defeating TV reporter Sharee Paoletto 24-21 (53%) in a final round which wound up being a thrilling three-week showdown. Clark was praised for her red color, and one voter added: "She doesn't need lots of product, unlike some people!"