2006 Jr. Nationals Review
by Juan Carlos Lopez

Misty Green

Chicago was once again the hosting city for one of the largest and most prestigious shows in the United States. This show always has many competitors that are competing for the first time at National level. Seems that being a show that sports the name "Junior Nationals" and accepts the top 5 that qualify at a National qualifier. Pam Betz, who promotes the show does an excellent job with the scheduling and making everything easy for competitors as the host hotel includes the show itself in one of its ballrooms. Also Pam Betz hires a special lighting crew that illuminates the stage like no other, even shows like the Arnold and Olympia should learn from this lighting crew.

Now the show presented over 100 figure competitors by itself and then adding the bodybuilding and fitness it turned out to be a very large show as usual. Most National shows have increased in numbers and Jr. Nationals remains as a popular show for National level first timers. Few big names appeared on stage as most had saved their money and efforts for Team Universe Figure Nationals in mid July.

Heather Mae French

Class A right away presented us with some serious contender for that one pro card in each class. Heather Mae French a Colorado competitor would end up winning the card in the short class. A competitor who had taken some time off after not placing as well as she wanted in Team Universe Nats a couple years ago. Resurfaced and won the Colorado NPC portion and now took the coveted pro card. Right up with her was Jennifer Gates and Shelby Right who both have placed very high in the last couple of shows. Gates presents a more muscular look while Right presents a similar shape as Heather Mae French. Heather Mae French was very well conditioned and tight. At least this class didn't really follow new mandate from judges that wanted to capped shoulders, no cuts in the legs, etc... Kristie Newsome and Melissa Froio were two of the physiques that could have placed better.

Jessie Ferguson

Class B was just enormous with 48 competitors for sure many would get overlooked. Jessie Ferguson as told by judges presented an 8th place Olympia physique but for this show it wasn't what they wanted therefore didn't even place. Right off the bat the judging becomes confusing for competitors. This class was taken by Tina Marie Bloomfield from Ohio and after her followed several first time competitors at National level. Michelle Naylon presented a very tight package which could have taken the pro card. Reagan Brenner, Ava Cowan, Nina Schumacher could have all done even better. Diana Tatiana Tinelle who is rumored to compete in bodybuilding placed 13th much above others that weren't as muscular as she was. Jennifer Cowan, Carla Machado, Tamara Amend, Tina Durkin, Allison Jones and of course McKensey Knapp could have placed much higher but didn't. Another reason was the huge number of competitors that created the class could have been a reason for the placings.

Elizabeth Lamm

Class C was taken by Elizabeth Lamm who won the overall, she did present a very nice package. Behind her were other great physiques such as Paola Almerico, Jelena Abbou, Carrie Schindley and a few others. This class was much smaller and perhaps weaker as there weren't much big names of competitors who had much experience except for Steph Collins and a few others. It was clear with this class that the look in general is changing from what we used to see on stage a couple years ago. Part of the mandate to decrease muscle was evident in this class.

Class D was taken by Mary Jo Cooke who came in lean and with an excellent color. Again the mandate seems to have also taken effect in this class. Only few competitors presented a more complete package such as Danielle Rouleau and Misty Green. They carried more muscle which could be part of the reason for not winning the class but that we will have to ask the judges. Misty Green in particular probably looked her best ever. Many people in the audience and competitors agreed that she looked very good. Not only symmetry but also looked like a pro competitor in all senses. Amy Fry as well was right up there and now doubt she will be in NYC for that coveted pro card.

Breean Robinson

Fitness was again very small and with Nita Marquez having tore her soleus muscle at warm ups it was going to be a wild show. Nita was probably the favorite given her experience at National level. The show then was at the hands of Karen Patten, Sandi Stuart and newly-wed Breean Robinson. The latter with a combination of excellent physique, presentation and routine took the overall. Lets not forget though about Karen Patten and Sandi Stuart who will probably get their pro cards very soon.

Bodybuilding was again controversial as was last year. We all remember Dr. Michele Neil having the most muscular and ripped physique not even place that well in her class. This told us that being that size and that cut didn't make you what judges wanted. This year the show went to Tracy Mason who has been trying very hard in the past several years. Theresa Hendricks who was very hard and dry and also balanced won her class but just a couple points shy of the overall. Hendricks having competed last year in Fitness now is going to rock the bodybuilding stage. She will be a force to contend with at Nationals. Each class presented very good physiques that by far made bodybuilding the most interesting event there. Melissa Dettwiller, Krissy Murrell, Kirsten Haratyk and a few others will be people to watch out for at National events.

Theresa Hendricks

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