Larry speaks the truth!
For the inaugural NADA show, I had about the same 18 month time frame and took a group of RSG fry from one of my spawns for sole purpose of growing out the best fish I could for the show. I knew I would enter more but I wanted one that I could put high hopes on for winning.
That fish won 2nd place in the spotted class, beating fish from some very well recognized commercial Asian breeders and/or exporters. The award looks great on the wall and is the pride of my fish room. The fish is spawning as I type this and my initial thought is "potential 2012 winners on that cone".
If I can do it anyone can, I promise.