2008 NPC Junior Nationals Contest Report - Figure Class B
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Class B deviated from the norm just a bit
for a few reasons, the first being the presence of rising superstar Julie Kulla from Minnesota. Julie
dominated the class and also won the overall figure title, partly by bridging the gap between last year's and this year's
judging criteria. She brought just enough conditioning and hardness to please the old guard, while also
exhibiting fitness model beauty and a healthy overall look. Because of her superb genetic frame Julie was also able to
create an illusion of size, and the additions to her mass were just enough to allow her to move to the top after
an 8th place finish here last year. Julie deservedly swept the two piece round and we would have awarded her the one
piece round as well.
In addition to the judging changes, another shift to note is that competing frequently
does not seem to be something that is rewarded as often these days in the NPC, as a number of pro card winners previously competed only once
or twice in a year. Julie only did Junior Nationals last year, and she returned in 2008 for the win after taking the overall at a local show for
a warm-up. That doesn't work for everyone of course, but quality this year has been more important than quantity, so if you are a competitor
pick your moments and make sure you are at your best when you have an opportunity at the national level.
Keep in mind that it's also possible that, in a sport that is unfortunately
often driven by the goal of separating athletes from the money in their wallets, that the NPC may wish to keep
frequent competitors around because they represent "sure thing" entry fees.
The second major thing that made Class B unique was that the first
one piece call-outs on Friday included only three athletes: Julie, Liza Kampstra from Colorado, and Soleivi Hernandez, who
was coming off a 3rd place finish in Charleston. Liza swept the one piece round and took second (up from 5th here last year) while Soleivi ultimately ended up in fifth. Perennial contendor Melody
Clere from Florida placed third in her two piece and third in the class, while Josie Zamora, a high school
teacher from El Paso, Texas, impressed us a great deal and finished in fourth largely based on the strength of her stunning body lines in her one piece
and her strong presentation. Josie had one of the best skin tone and posing suit combinations of the class and reminds us a lot of Felicia
Romero.
For all the pre-judging call-outs visit our live coverage page.
The remaining placings in the top ten were noticeable for their lack
of consistency but included a few of the best in the nation. We were happy to see Texan Denise Rose (7th) recognized
for her outstanding symmetry and mass and the improvements she has made since last year, while Jennifer DeJoya (8th) softened up just enough in our opinion relative to last year while maintaining her
superb focal points. With the physique she presented Jennifer would have likely been top three last year and we hope that she will compete
in Pittsburgh, where she would start as one of our favorites. Gorgeous Jennifer Jackson (9th) nailed her upper body size and conditioning and moved up relative
to her placing in Charleston, but it left her slightly off balance and if she can trim a little more size from her quads her package will be astounding and she will be ready
to make that leap to competing for class and overall wins.
Californian Monica Mark, who finished 10th, made the height move to compete in the B class
for the first time and we continue to think that she is a superstar with a prototype "streamlined" shorter figure physique (similar to Heather Mae French). Monica is simply beautiful with
tremendous marketability, and her poise and presentation on stage are second to none. On Friday night she came in a little too hard for the judges and was penalized with a 13th place in her
one piece, but she filled out nicely on Saturday and took 7th in her two piece. Monica improved even more for the evening show and if she is able to bring that package
consistently to the stage later this year she will move back up where she belongs, and improve upon last year's top five finish in New York.
Congratulations to all of Team Performance Ready
in Colorado for their recent deal with VPX, including Tara Green (11th) who we were viewing on stage for the first time in Chicago.
Tara has an appealing look and a great midsection, and we look forward to seeing how she does at Masters in Pittsburgh. Deven Schruff (12th), from the Big Easy, has a great deal of
potential but she spilled over a bit on Saturday and fell out of the top ten. Super-crossover athlete Nez Zamorano (fitness, MMA, 14th)
might have softened up a little too much but always looks great to us. Michelle Woodward (15th) is one of the competitors who will difficulty adjusting to the new
criteria because she looks her best when she's rock hard, but she was a little tighter when she placed 4th in Chicago and 3rd at USA's last year.
One of our favorite west coast
athletes, Susan Salazar, made her national level debut in Chicago after at least four NPC figure
class wins and two overall titles in California last year. Susan did not place and might have
been penalized a little bit for her leg muscularity and a slightly tense stance, but she has
undoubtedly accomplished significant streamlining and refinement since the Excalibur in December.
Her presentation and skin tone are beautiful and her lines are superb, with a particularly outstanding
upper chest, abdominals and calves. We expect Susan to move up significantly in Las Vegas and beyond as she
becomes better known at the national level.
Tiffany Procopio from Maryland came in for this show looking
her best ever - in fact she presented an ideal streamlined "hard core" figure physique with a look that would be difficult for anyone to accomplish. Tiffany was able to
combine intense conditioning, fullness and vascularity - qualities that we would like to see rewarded - and we hope that she will continue to bring
her best to the stage. She has improved considerably since she placed 3rd at last year's North Americans.
The Class A winner from the Connecticut Grand Prix the weekend
before Junior Nationals, Jennifer Smythe, caught a lot of attention on stage and is destined for
great things. Jennifer has a great deal of stage presence to go along with her excellent leg lines and capped delts, so keep an eye out
for her at future shows.
We want to give a FigureRX shout out to Marina Lopez from Colorado who
we hope to see again soon at the national level. It was difficult for the judges to call out local Chicago athlete Kim Currie early because of her skin
complexion, but if she can darken her tan considerably she has the tools to be a top ten challenger.
Two other competitors in this class who caught our eye based on their national level
potential, beauty and symmetry are Kelli Joy Horne from Chicago's south suburbs and Heather Misra from Indianapolis.
We look forward to learning more about them at future shows.
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