2006 Team Universe Review by Juan Carlos Lopez
After countless airport related delays the trip was a belated by several hours. The airport delays were not excluded to my port of departure but rather due to inclement weather in the NYC/NJ area. The tempestuous weather manifested at around 5pm to 9pm in the NYC/NJ vicinity. This caused the airports in the area to close down delaying competitors from their Wednesday arrivals and even postponing their arrivals until the next day.
Together with the NYC Pro Figure, NPC Fitness, Figure and Bodybuilding was to be showcased at this show. Already a key show to compete at the countless competitors made the gathering sui generis.
The Pro show kicked off on Friday and by now the IFBB was even more clear with their policy regarding downsizing muscle and rewarding the softer look. Jessica Paxson had been called out first in both rounds and in the end she took the whole show and thus qualifying for the Olympia. Jen Searles took second and presenting a similar physique as 2005 just a bit softer. Tara Scotti came in sharp and could have presented one of her best packages ever. Michelle Flake again on the top hasn't been noted as much as when she was an amateur and used to place low despite her great conditioning. Lucie Bergeron was for sure on the more muscular side but was for sure one of the better physiques presenting great deal of balance. Amy Peters now with better leg development and a bit more size looked stunning in her one piece. Nicole Pitcher Scott a face that as become more familiar represent the UK very well. Elizabeth Lamm who has a very pleasant physique has also done her homework and thus was rewarded with a top 10 finish by the judges. Kate Shelby was another competitor who stood out, she only needs a bit more lower body development and overall more muscle but her shape and looks are dead on for what the IFBB want. The big surprise was a non US competitor Celeste Gonzalez placing top 10 which was great because many people complain you can't place well if you are from another country. Celeste's physique bending in between the looks US judges wanted and a appealing look that could veer for those that like the muscle.
Fitness routines were also on Friday and thus warmed up the stage for the morning show on Saturday. Class A was taken by Hollie Stewart who had a small tight physique and excellent powerful routine. Breean Robinson missed the pro card this time but presented a very pleasing physique as always. Jessica Rohm and Tonya Burkhardt bringing more muscular physiques looks great but judges seemed to veer in this class towards those smaller bodies. As far as routines were the Class A winner and Jessi Rohm really made a strong presentation. Jessica Rohm in particular made one move using a setup that just left many speechless. Nita Marquez back from injury didn't do as well and is thinking about hanging the fitness costume for ever. Hopefully she'll come back and battle for her pro card once more.
Class B was taken by Karen Patten whose physique rose above all in her class. This same show last year Karen had asked me what she needed to change in her physique and I mentioned to come in a bit sharper but everything else was fine. She did that and more and now she is pro. Susan Groshek whose physique is less muscular presented a well executed routine and took down the other pro card. Sara Flom who mostly presents a harder physique came in softer and perhaps that is what judges didn't want. Probably a bit smaller and tighter would have done for this powerful performer. Amy Johnston one of the competitors in our main banner at the top came back to the scene after a year's absence. Good luck to her for next year.
Class C was now a dream story come true Laticia Jackson who last year missed Nationals due to an injury came in and dominated the routine round with her presence. For Laticia it was a sweetest victory that culminated in tears of joy. Leslie Rae Newton who was been around many times finally got her pro card just ahead of Michelle Mayberry who we will see again in Miami. Alissa Carpio and Sandi Stuart will probably be there and shall be great contenders.
Figure A was taken by Sonia Adcock and second to her Shelby Right who's husband made his first appearance in the industry and was her good luck charm. Having a great amount of competitors in each class again will leave some great physiques out of the top loop. Most of the top ones were in the top 10 fortunately.
Figure B surprisingly was not taken by Melody Clere whose symmetry can astonish even the most seasoned judges. Placing 10 on the one piece and 2 on the two piece it was clear she was overlooked at the beginning. Kristi Tauti and Tessa Wood with smaller physiques took both pro cards. Kristi having done fairly well at the Emerald Cup.
Class C included Heather Green who took 12th but could have placed even better. Angie Picarello was in excellent shape and even her conditioning was on spot. Corry Matthews who now did figure took the class and Amber Steinmetz took the other pro card. This class was a bit more competitive and was for sure harder to judge.
Class D was taken by Nina DeTomasso and Jelena Abbou the later an example of the NPC wanting small waists, nice lines and softer looks. Christine Ranking and Kristy Stone were both physiques that really impressed and will probably be back up there next year.
Class E finally had Stephanie Collins as Pro. She has changed her physique to a much softer look than before. Elisa Archibald was very tight but lacked muscle overall, judges wanted this probably. Nola Trimble, Stacy Boles and Stacy Clary were right up there and it was just a matter of how the physiques were being judged as to who would win the card.
Class F was the most exciting, Cheri Lewis brought a nice package and took the class. Amy Fry with a very muscular yet feminine look took her card in 2nd. It was odd to have such different physiques on stage and also the top 5 presented different shapes and levels of conditioning. Misty Green once more presented a quality package only rivaled by Amy Fry. Michelle Troll came back this time but soften her look much than ever. Judges appeared not to like this and consensus from the public was that she looked better harder and more muscular. Tamee Marie did bring a great physique but was probably lost in the shuffle once more hopefully next year she will be in line for that pro card.
Bodybuilding was very small and it was between Stephanie Kessler and Theresa Hendricks. Stephanie had more size and thus took the whole show. Hendricks has proven to be a great poser and will probably be at Nationals with her best package. Malea Jensen took the middleweight class deservingly. Tracie Tucker took the lightweights with no problems.
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