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The first ever webcast of the NPC USAs are now available on bodybuilding.com. If you missed the action or were on stage and want to see yourself, check it out on the replay section. You can watch the replays at: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2008_npc_usa_replays.htm
Another figure show is in the books. Six women left Vegas accomplishing their goals of joining the ranks in the IFBB. It was a tough show and a big congrats to all the women.
CLASS A
1. Jamie Costa
2. Akane Ismeal
3. Carin Hawkins
4. Nicole Coleman
5. Sarah Nakajima
6. Aketa Thomas
7. Mary Cencich
8. Shawna Kondo
9. Ann Treesukosol
10. Mandy Henderson
11. Lisa Sandercock
12. Prudence Moe
13. Traci Hall
14. Gemma Santos
15. Rosalind Vail
16. Devin Kenney
16. Joni Starkey
16. Huong Vo
16. Denise Dinger
16. Katherine McPhee
CLASS B
1. Crystal Lowery
2. Candice Houston
3. Shannon Bennett
4. Kerri Simpson
5. Ann Pratt
6. Jennifer Migliacci
7. Keri Moser
8. Tiffany Procopio
9. Jennifer DeJoya
10. Jessica Brichta
11. Lauren Pearlman
12. Denise Rose
13. Kiana Lewis
14. Misi White
15. Vicki Counts
16. Mona Liza Reyes
16. Darice Smolenski
16. Shari Santos
16. Frederica Brant
16. Lila Sandozezqui
16. Lisa Hutchinson
16. Angie Platten
16. Heather Misra
16. Sheila Bratten
16. Kim Carmichael
16. Laura Millar
16. Laurie Costa
16. Kenyatta Parham
16. Michele Suszek
CLASS C
1. Kristin Nunn
2. Michelle Anderson
3. Emily Nicholson
4. Chrissy Burton
5. Cynthia Herndon
6. Bea Fox
7. Edy Neal
8. Sherrie Carnicle
9. Ana Tigre
10. Lauren Rosen
11. Joy Kushner
12. Lori Brooks
13. Ann Titone
14. Marga Martin
15. Danyell Johnson
16. Laura Bailey
16. Doneker King
16. Emily Roberts
16. Monique Jones
16. Ashley Cooper
16. Patricia Moore
16. Angel Allison
16. Allison Malone
16. Grace Rivera
16. Wendi Medders
16. Dawn Melanie
16. Carmen Demske
16. Lori Pavesi
16. Kim Bell
16. Brenda Dunsmore
16. Shannon Furstenberg
16. Rada Reyes
16. Selma McPherson
CLASS D
1. Amy Lee Martin - Overall
2. Kristy McKinney
3. Shelley Hillesheim
4. Amanda Quinlan
5. Amanda Darce
6. Natalie Calland
7. Alicia Harris
8. Amy ONeil
9. Valerie Carlino
10. Ahsley Harrell
11. Veronica Miller
12. Jillian Mabin
13. Laura Pine
14. Joanna Frichtel
15. Tiffany Waddell
16. Bethany Karlin
16. Traci Saba
16. Qawnana Crockett
16. Andrea Romero
16. Joy Lewis
16. Kimberly Agnew
16. Corina Frikken
16. Juliet Banks
16. Christine Vallancourt
16. Echelle Harris
16. Jackie Buckley
16. Jessica Troha
16. Robyne Roveccio-Palmer
16. Tanya Rhoades
16. Joni Neilson
16. Enji Khoo
CLASS E
1. Mendi Sakamoto
2. Stephanie McDonald
3. Jaime Meade
4. Alecia Rankovic
5. Ginny Gardea
6. Tami Delzenero
7. Jenny Lewis
8. Nicole Vitale
9. Crystal Rush
10. Kat Morrill
11. Hannah Fox
12. Danielle Edmonds
13. Magoa Galloza
14. Gina Cook
15. Nola Trimble
16. Nicole Key
16. Rachel Chapman
16. Wendy Bogard
16. Ilona Maj
16. Natalie Calland
16. Ursula Cristofaro
16. Kelley Green
CLASS F
1. Rachel Cammon
2. Alicia Marie
3. Monique Minton
4. Michelle Batista
5. Brandie Gardner
6. Ali Huston
7. Veronica Ramirez
8. Jeanne Nimmer
9. Jennifer Hernandez
10. Katie Coles
11. Sunshine Loustaunau
12. Jessica Shannon
13. Kristen Crigler
14. Kelly Hill
15. Stephanie Gruner
16. Becky Youngberg
16. Tandy Robinson
16. Jessica Livingston
16. Brigitte Blount
16. Aletha Tatge
Ron Avidan and I go behind the scenes with bodybuilding.com at this year’s NPC USA Championships. Photos are constantly being uploaded throughout the weekend on bodybuilding.com. Check out all the photos from this weekend’s event. Get photos that no other site has and no one gets quite as dorky as the two of us.
Last night several women took the stage in hopes of taking a step closer to IFBB Pro status. The NPC USA Figure show was loaded with women in every class. Despite the number of competitors, it was a shared sentiment amongst industry regulars that the show was a little lackluster. There were a handful of women who really stood out but overall it was lacking comparatively speaking to Jr. Nationals and Jr. USAs in terms of quality physiques from top to bottom.
This is how I saw the classes breakdown from a view in the press pit:
A Class
It’s a two woman show here. Akane Nigro-Ismeal and Jamie Costa are the front-runners in this show. While both of the shorties are sporting nicely balanced physiques. I’d give the nod to Jamie for the win here. This is the best she has looked and has found a nice balance with her upper and lower body. Costa makes a strong case for winning the overall title.
B Class
The class will be between Candice Houston, Crystal Lowery and Ann Pratt. I’d call this class - Houston first, Lowery second and Pratt third. Hometown favorite, Candice Houston seemed to be the most complete in this group.
C Class
The toughest class of the show has four women in the mix for the win. Michelle Anderson, Kristin Nunn, Emily Nicholson and Chrissy Burton. I have this class between Michelle Anderson and Kristin Nunn. If you’re a regular on hardbody, you’ll remember I mentioned Kristin after the Jr. USAs. I felt she was overlooked in Charleston with a 12th place finish. She has a fresh face and a balanced physique. She’ll have to go through Michelle Anderson for the win though. Michelle looked a little fuller and less drawn in than she did at the Jr. USAs. I’d have Emily Nicholson in third and Chrissy Burton in fourth.
D Class
The top five in this class look to be Amanda Schenk-Darce, Shelley Hillesheim, Kristy McKinney, Amy Lee Martin, Amanda Quinlan. It looks like it is between Amy Lee Martin and first time USA competitor, Shelley Hillesheim. You saw Shelly profiled here on hardbody earlier in the week. She’s coming off a win at the Master’s Nationals and is in the mix to achieve her goal of pro status. Shelly is a beautiful woman who poses her balanced physiqued in a very poised manner. Amy Lee Martin looks to be at her best and could get the nod over Hillsheim. I’d go Amanda Schenk-Darce in third, Kristy McKinney in the fourth spot and Amanda Quinlan in fifth.
E Class
You could see another hardbodied girl out of Colorado in the top spot here. Jamie Meade is going head to head with Mendi Skamoto for the win. Jamie burst onto the national scene at the Jr. Nationals last month by taking third in this class. Ginny Gardea and Stephanie McDonald will also be in the running for a top spot. A favorite going into the show, Jenny Lewis was a little off and will be out of the top five here. She looked like she needed a rest and may have better suited to compete at Figure Nationals in New York. At this point her physique needs a rest but could be one to watch in the magazines, as she has a unique look.
F Class
When the competitors came out many thought the first name called out would be Monique Minton. She has a tiny waist, blinged out Passion Fruits suit and has a striking look. This Mary Lado lookalike definitely catches your attention. This class had only three names called out for the top spots however Monique’s was not one of them. The three called out were Michelle Battista, Alicia Marie and Rachel Cammon. The tall beauties in their own right. This class will come down to one of the industries top models, Alicia Marie and newcomer Rachel Cammon. Cammon has the goods to take down the super star model in this show. Marie has a stunning look but is better suited for modeling then the pro ranks. I’d give the nod to Cammo over the top model. Rachel and Alicia were excused while Michelle battled it out for a top five spot. Either way the winner of this class will have a beautiful representative in the pros.
I’d say the overall title will come down to the A and the F Class. Who will end up with the overall crown? We’ll find out tonight. Things could change in the two piece round as well though - it ain’t over till it’s over.
The folks at Flexonline.com are sticking true to their word and giving the women more exposure on their web site. Check out the feature currently running on the FLEX website.
Last night the USA’s Olympic Men’s basketball Team warmed up for their exhibition game at UNLV. Across campus a different competition was heating up, the USA Bodybuilding & Figure Championships. The weigh-in/check-in took place last night where lots of tan bodies showed up.
I reported earlier this month, one competitor is making some waves off-stage. BSN’s Alicia Marie has been linked to baseball player Alex Rodriquez. When pressed for the scoop last night, Alicia was careful with her words and reiterated the two are just friends. When I asked her about her sharing a room with a dancer in Florida, also linked to A-rod, she laughed. Alicia is dating contorversial baseball player, John Rocker. Don’t be surprised if Mr. Rocker is in attendance this weekend to support the leggy Marie. Alicia told me it’s been difficult at times to prepare for the show but feels ready. There is no denying Alicia has a look that makes you do a double take. Perfect skin tone and striking looks certainly won’t hurt her when she takes the stage tonight.
Around this time last year, one competitor was checking in as an amateur for the last time. That lovely young lady was Florida momma, Desha Rodriquez. I’d seen Desha working the GNC booth numerous times at shows and her striking green eyes always makes you do a double take. Her fellow GNC booth-mate IFBB Figure Pro, Christine Wan has always been one of her biggest supporters. When she told anyone who would listen to watch out for Desha, she was right. Desha won the Figure A Class in 2007 and achieved IFBB pro status. I snapped this little photo of “D” at last year’s check-in.
Who will be checking for the last time as an amateur this year? We’ll find out this weekend at the 2008 NPC USA Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tonight the women will check in at around 8pm, at the host hotel Embassy Suites.
I caught up with one of the top contenders in the NPC USA Figure Championships, Alicia Harris. If you missed my mini-profile on Alicia after the 2008 NPC Jr Nationals, check it out here on hardbody. Alicia made the trip to Las Vegas earlier in the week and is happy to be out of the Chicago humidity.
When I chat with competitors before a show they are usually talking about being tired, hungry or anxious. Ms. Harris on the other hand mentioned no of the above. What was Smiley concentrating on last night? A class paper. Yep, she was finishing a school paper for her sports marketing class. Carb depletion was no excuse to continue on about her daily life. It’s always refreshing to hear a competitor not forget to have a little balance in their life while preparing for a show. Don’t let that fool you though, she is still a focused and determined competitor.
When asked if she did anything different this time around she and said, “Not really, I just continued to train hard. I’m just going to go out there, have fun and do my best”.
A great attitude to match the top notch physique. Look for Alicia in the Figure D Class when the ladies hit the stage for the Friday night pre-jduging.
Shelley Hillesheim has found success on the NPC figure stage and isn’t about to look back now. She’s notched another win in her belt by taking top honors in her class at the Master’s Nationals. This mother of two proves that you can accomplish anything you set out to do. She’s an attractive lass who has her sights set on this weekend’s USA Figure Championships. I caught up with Shelly days before leaving for Sin City.
How did it feel to win your class at your first national show?
It felt AMAZING to win my class at my very first national show! Part of my ‘mental game’ for competing is to walk into a show believing that I will win, so I had set an expectation for myself going in. It is always nice to actually fulfill that expectation (and hope). By the way, winning two overall championship titles at a local level in each of the two months prior definitely increased my confidence level going into nationals.
You’re a mom, right? How challenging is it to compete with kids?
Yes, I am a mom. I have two kids - a 5 yr old boy and a 3 yr old girl. It can feel incredibly challenging to juggle the day-to-day family needs with the demands of a serious figure competitor. However, as I better learn to incorporate more of those demands into my life as a true ‘lifestyle’, it feels more balanced and natural. The family is getting used to me exercising a certain number of hours a day and eating foods that they don’t eat. It seems more normal as I continue to compete. It is becoming who I am.
What are your goals for USAs?
Primary goal - win my class and go pro!
Ancillary goal(s) - make viable contacts in the industry to gain exposure for fitness modeling and potential sponsorship opportunities. I’ll be ready at hand with my new comp cards.
Shelley looking to make an impact in Vegas.
How difficult has it been to do as many shows as you have done and continue to have success?
I did my first show this year in May. I’ve done one about every four weeks since. In July, I’m doing two shows back-to-back (one weekend after another). I also have my sights set on another show in September. It has actually proved to be a good pace for me. It’s keeping me focused and on track. Plus, I am sure that winning is helping with continued motivation and momentum. As the saying goes, “success breeds success.” This is true for me.
What words of encouragement do you have for other “masters” women thinking of competing but afraid to do so?
It doesn’t matter your age …know what you want, why you are doing it and do whatever it takes to get it, even when it hurts. My trainer told me early in my time with her that ‘every day counts.’ In this sport, I believe that to be completely true. Everyone trains and competes for different reasons. Simply know YOUR reasons and maintain focus on that reason. Every day that you ponder if you should compete, you are wasting a day of training.
Thanks Shelley and best wishes in Vegas!
Okay so maybe she isn’t but I am. Jamie Costa won the NPC figure A Class at the NPC Jr. USAs earlier this year and looked great. It was the first time I had met Jamie but had seen her compete at the USAs last year. I’ve seen Jamie streamline her physique in one year and it’s nothing short of amazing. She’s not only an attractive up-and-coming model but also fits the bill for doing well on stage.
I caught up with Jamie last night for a shoot one week out from the NPC USAs and she’s definitely bringing her A game. She’s streamlined her physique even more since Charleston with her legs coming down in size. At 5′0″ and currently weighing 98lbs, you will see a whole new Jamie next week.
Jaime Meade is a head turner on and off stage. She packs an impressive set of guns and will light up a room with her smile. Jaime has found success in her relatively short competition career, recently placing third in her class at the NPC Jr Nationals. One of the first conversations I had with Jaime, I asked what her goals were for the show and she gave me the ever popular, “I’m just happy to be here.” I rolled my eyes and told her that was a load of crap. She insisted that she wasn’t and that she really was happy to be competing and very fortunate to be doing what she is doing. Turns out she wasn’t full of poo and she really was happy to be there. Read why in the interview below. She was a California girl but now calls Parker, Colorado home.
Next week Jaime will be heading to the NPC USAs to try her hand in figure once again. I caught up with her a few days out from the competition and she was kind enough to share the skinny:
You’re a fan of dogs, right?
1 angry maltese, 1 passive poodle, 1 scoobydoo Rottie/Akita mix, 3 dumb goats, 1 ancient Beta Fish
I won’t ask why you’re hate’n on the goats and calling them dumb.
Guilty Pleasure?
French Fries dipped in a milkshake… oh yumm
You told me in Chicago you were just happy to be there and I said you were full of it. You then explained why. Why is it you are just happy to compete, you mentioned your job…?
Well, after I got over being called “full of it” for being happy to be at my first national competition and 1 day away from grubbin on a pizza ha ha 
I felt that you should know the reason I am really happy to be able to compete is b/c as a physical therapist I work every day with kids from preschool up to adults who have mild to severe physical disabilities. Teaching my kiddos how to move better and have less struggle in the realm of their physical needs makes me feel grateful that I have the ability to pursue the journey of what is takes to be a figure competitor.
You placed third at Jr. Nationals when you said you’d be happy with top 15. What are you goals for Vegas?
My goals for Vegas is to stay up in the top 5!
Where will you be headed in Vegas after you’re done competing?
Pink Taco…hmmmmmm than later the blackjack table to win money to help me get to my next competition!! ha ha ha ….my taco bell job isn’t cutting it!! 
Ah moonlighting at little taco land. NOW we know what’s up.
If you’re interested in learning more about Jaime check out her interview and spotlight on the Performance Ready web site. She admits to having a fitness fantasy of beating Iris Kyle in an arm wrestling match. She’s shown she can more than hold her own on the NPC Figure stage and we’ll see how she fairs next weekend in Las Vegas. Good luck Jaime!
The long awaited lists for the NPC USA Figure competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. Props to Ron Avidan for being the first to put the lists out and provide them in an organized manner on our brother site, getbig.com. If you’re interested in viewing the men and women’s bodybuilding lists visit GETBIG.COM.
Class ‘A’ Competitor List
Class ‘B’ Competitor List
Class ‘C’ Competitor List
Class ‘D’ Competitor List
Class ‘E’ Competitor List
Class ‘F’ Competitor List
Many of you will be making the trip to Las Vegas, Nevada next month for the NPC USA Championships. Aside from taking in all the competition that will heat up Sin City on July 25 & 26th, there is one place to add to your “to do list”.
Visit the Hard Rock Cafe and enjoy a meal or margarita at the Pink Taco. Last year myself along with JM Manion, John Tuman, Sonia Adock, Mary Jo Cooke, Ron Avidan, George Farah, Lee Thompson and a few enjoyed a mexican feast there and it was quite delicious. There were a number of competitors who were spotted at the fine establishment as well. JM captured a shot of Liza Kampstra (and in the background you can also spot Jacqui Skibba) enjoying a ginormous margarita. The photo is featured on the Pink Taco web site under the “Ladies of the Pink Taco” in the Fun section. Liza and Jacqui will both be competing this weekend at the NPC Jr. Nationals and I’m told have forgone the margs until after the show.
