Junior Nationals Pre-Judging report - with Big Lou Uridel
From Fabulous Female Friday all the way through the cornucopia of men's bodybuilding and men's physique prejudging on Saturday, it has been an event filled extravaganza bringing over 700 NPC competitors to the great city of Chicago to fight for the coveted title of NPC Junior Nationals Champion.
Fitness had a small contingent of competitors that were bouncing around the stage doing some really cool routines. From a race car driver to Uma Thurman from Kill Bill, fitness is one division that never ceases to entertain!
An event that for the first time has yielded only one female bodybuilding competitor by the name of Kimberly Gerard. Kimberly weighs in at a light 108lbs but as it stands, she will hold the title. Rumors were circulating throughout the entire weekend that this could be the last time Female Bodybuilding is held at Junior Nationals. We've all heard these rumors before, so until it actually happens, I'll believe it when I see it!
With six classes of figure and a plethora of top notched girls… it begs to ask who can pull off this victory? Class F was highly contested with Katie Luna and Tara Ramos leading the way. However, Megan Olson from class E definitely rocked the stage with excellent structure, condition and an overall look. Charmain Lett in Class D looked like a comic book hero with her physique and brought back a glimmer of a Latorya Watts, who won the USA Overall last year. There were many others who were fantastic on stage and truth be told… figure can go down many different ways… these are just a few names that stuck out in my opinion.
In Women's Physique it was great to see some of the ladies bring condition. Some didn't bring the national level condition necessary to crack into the top callouts, but they can consider themselves warned… if you are going to come to a national level show, do your homework. Come in the best possible shape you can and have an objective pair of eyes guide your way.
In Class A Jill Vadala and Michelle Davis looked to be in the center and command of this class. In Class B It looked like Kimberly Baum and Selena Smith will be battling hard for the win and chance to represent themselves in the overall. This was a highly contested class, so the winner is truly a champion. In a stranglehold in Class C, Rachael Loftis seems to be taking this crown home. Whether she can pull it off in the Overall is yet another story! The wild and zesty Natalie Rae Wolfe looks to have a hold on the D Class… there might be some contestation with KASIA Topor, but I think Natalie can pull it out.
For me, Bikini is always an anomaly. I'm never sure whether I am coming or going really. All the ladies look so good and they always seem to have good stage presence. Well, at least the girls at the top. It looks like Rosie Gavilanes and Tanya Rachan are going at it for the win in Bikini Class A while Ashlee Adams seems to be in control in the bikini B division. Bikini C gets a little more tricky with Angelika Perez and Denise Milne going after the win in the class. I have Denise Milne winning, but wouldn't be shocked if Angelika pulls it off.
Bikini D was a highly contested class that looks to have Michelle Sylvia rocking in for the first position. Other notables in this class are Michele Messina (2nd callout) and Breelin Detrich (3rd callout)
There were some great girls in an outstanding Bikini portion that took close to 4 hours to complete! But the audience was packed and no one moved until the very end.
In bodybuilding, the names were too numerous to go through everyone… however there are a few worth mentioning in terms of performance today. In Middleweight, Dominick Mustacio and Guillermo Escalante really brought next level condition to the stage and had a good battle for the top spot. Charles Griffith in the light heavyweight was really a standout in the light heavyweight and in my opinion will take that class. Tay Raines and Dorian Haywood were two outstanding physiques in the Heavies… I believe Dorian will edge out Tay… when you turn to the back, that is where the show is won from! In the big boy category, they were worked over by the judges hitting pose after pose and moving around for a long time Sergio Olivia, Jr was in the driver's seat (son of the late and great Sergio Olivia) although I believe C. Jonas Giatras will pull out the win here.
What can we say about Men's physique other than I have seen some of the greatest collection of board shorts on this side of the Mason Dixie line. (if I am even on this side of the Mason Dixie line)… while there were many standouts - the true champions will be decided tonight on the finals stage and be awarded pro cards and if they are lucky, Junior National's champion!
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