FIGURE RX CONTEST REPORT

2007 Junior National Championships

June 15-16th, 2007
By Stephen Bierer

The 2007 Junior National Championships in the Chicago area were a huge success by any measure, with a record number of competitors hitting the stage. Promoter Pam Betz once again did an excellent job, and the show remains one of the most convenient for athletes with the competition venue directly inside the contest hotel. The Hyatt Embassy underwent a major transformation in the past year, turning from a typical airport décor to a much more modern look with boutique style furniture and lighting. The indoor pool disappeared and was replaced with a balcony area which was ideal for photographers and provided a different backdrop than last year.

Although there were no pro cards awarded for fitness, several impressive competitors served notice that they were ready to gun for their cards later this year and it was encouraging to see a large turnout. Tina Durkin, a crowd favorite from the DC area with an exciting routine and a symmetrical physique, won the overall title. FigureRX favorite Lishia Dean, an in-demand personal trainer from North Carolina with a solid physique built on a power lifting background, took third in Fitness B and could have placed even higher. In Class C, class winner Traci Redding stood out for her abdominal development and power-packed routine in her national fitness debut after switching from figure. Nicole Wilkins was close behind her and she exhibits a beautiful all-American look with some enviable quad separation, a well developed back and overall symmetry that would fit in well even on the figure stage.

Because of the number of figure competitors (150+), the contest was again divided into six height classes just as it was seven weeks earlier at the Junior USA’s. Given the increasing popularity of the sport, we can probably expect six height classes at both Juniors going forward. Surprisingly, the largest height classes were Class F (39 entrants) and Class A (29 entrants), suggesting that it might be necessary to adjust the height levels in future years to even things out.

Jennifer Gates, Class A and Overall Winner

2006 Junior Nationals	2007 Junior USA’s	2007 Junior Nationals

The Figure Class A winner also won the overall which is a rarity in the sport. Indiana’s Jennifer Gates could not have been more deserving, having made some considerable changes in the past year to appease the judges while still maintaining her overall muscularity and symmetry. Jennifer came in with her trademark arm development but was about ten pounds lighter than previous years. She was also tighter and better conditioned, with a superior tan, than at the 2007 Junior USA’s and 2006 Junior Nationals. We expect to her to do extremely well in the pro ranks, and her overall win is a positive for the direction of her sport.

One of the top contenders in Figure Class A, Melissa Froio, chose to sit out the Junior Nationals but will certainly have an impact on the national stage in July. The second place finisher, Huong Arcinas, has outstanding quad and calf development and came in well conditioned, as do most of the athletes under the tutelage of trainer extraordinaire Kim Oddo. Another favorite of FigureRX, showing that muscle maturity is a good thing even on the figure stage, is veteran competitor Californian Jennifer DeJoya. Minnesotan JulieAnn Kulla arrived in superb shape and made a splash in her first national level show.

Huong Arcinas	Jennifer DeJoya	JulieAnn Kulla

Figure Classes B and C were arguably the weakest of the groups, and Class B was the smallest with only 15 competitors. Amy Thompson won Class B and Brenda Marie Smith took Class C along with an IFBB pro card. Of the two classes, Tara Chandler caught our eye with her improvements since her second place finish at the Emerald Cup. Tara’s overall shape, especially her hip-to-waist ratio, is stunning and she simply needed to dial it in a little more and she made a significant move in that direction. She received a well deserved third place finish in Chicago, and if she can achieve more upper leg conditioning and can modify her unusual side posing stance slightly she should move further up the ranks.

Tara Chandler	Melissa Pearo	Krissy Chin

It doesn’t get any more competitive than the battle for Figure Class D. This top- heavy class featured a one point differential between first and second place, and at least a half dozen competitors who could have easily placed first or second in some of the other height classes. Melissa Pearo, sponsored by American Physiques, followed up on her Junior USA class win and earned her inevitable IFBB pro card. It was good to see this Oklahoman move on early in the season to maintain a shot at possible Olympia qualification this year. Equally deserving was second place finisher Krissy Chin, who presents an ideal figure package from head to toe and who we expect to have a big impact when she arrives on the pro stage. Among the rest of the class, Amanda Ianelli and Amanda Darce are both beautiful competitors with all the physical tools, while Tiffany Rabon has an excellent overall structure for figure. Crowd favorite Dorothy Trojanowicz (aka Buff Pam) continued her successful transition from bodybuilding to figure and seems to have found the ideal muscle shape and size, and will likely place higher if she comes in a little more shredded at this weight.

Amanda Darce	Veronica Miller	Stacy Clary

Figure Class E was about surprises, as two competitors seemingly came out of nowhere (at least to FigureRX) to take first and second place. One of them, Tana Clough, walked away with an IFBB pro card. She narrowly edged Veronica Miller, who stood out to a lot of people with the package that she presented in Chicago. We can’t wait to see this Louisianan’s performances later this year, particularly when she stands next to Florida’s Nola Trimble who sat this one out. Stacy Clary also caught our eye with her beautiful lines and adorable presentation.

Figure Class F continues to be one of the most competitive with fairly consistent placings among the top competitors from show to show, but with judging criteria that seems a little different and off relative to the other height classes. As a result, figure tall winners have not fared well in the overall, and the class has been shut out as far as pro cards for three straight major shows, dating back to the 2006 IFBB North Americans. This is ironic because Figure F seems to have the largest number of inevitable pros waiting in the wings out of any height class, and some of them need to be sent to the IFBB to clear the way for others. Taller competitors also tend to fare better in the IFBB, all else held equal. It is a certainty that three Figure F competitors will go pro in July so that string will finally be broken. Please see our upcoming FigureRX Team Universe and USA Championship previews for more information on the contenders.

Teresa Anthony	Ali Huston	Jamie Reed

At Junior Nationals, it was apparent during the pre-judging that muscle was once again being rewarded by the judges. Class F was won by perennial top five contender Jessica Wright. Jessica narrowly edged Teresa Anthony, who had one of the most symmetrical physiques of the entire competition. Teresa has good size especially in her upper body and improved on her placing relative to the Junior USA’s. The well-connected Melissa Griffin arguably looked better than she did while winning the class at Junior USA’s, but fell to 4th in the latest round of Figure F musical chairs. FigureRX-sponsored athlete and reigning National Collegiate Figure Champion Ali Huston made her national debut and placed 6th, with first call-outs in her two piece. While Danielle Rouleau was ill at the show and unable to present her best package, another FigureRX athlete, Jamie Reed, showed up in excellent shape and placed 11th in a very competitive field.

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