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.
