This weekend nearly 500 competitors will take the stage at the 2012 Team Universe / Fitness Nationals in Teaneck, NJ. The events will also showcase a number of Masters Divisions and look for close to 100 competitors cross over from the Open to Masters events.
A total of 55 IFBB Pro cards will be awarded on Saturday night. The bulk of those pro cards coming in the women’s events. NPCNEWSonline.com broke down the pro cards by division.
– Open Men’s Bodybuilding Overall winner – 1
– Open Women’s Bodybuilding Overall winner – 1
– Master’s Men’s Bodybuilding Over 35, Over 45 and Over 55 Overall winners – 3
– Master’s Women’s Bodybuilding Over 35 and Over 45 Overall winners – 2
– Open Figure Top 2 in each Height Class (6 Height Classes) – 12
– Masters Figure Over 35 and Over 45 Overall winners – 2
– Open Bikini Top 2 in each Height Class (6 Height Classes) – 12
– Masters Bikini Over 35 Overall Winner – 1
– Men’s Physique Top 2 in each Height Class (3 Height Classes) – 6
– Women’s Physique Top 3 in each Height Class (3 Height Classes) – 9
– Women’s Fitness Top 2 in each Height Class (3 Height Classes) – 6
The overall winners will be eligible to compete on the USA TEAM at the 2012 World Championships. While we don’t have the final competitor lists as of yet, here’s a few competitors to watch. These are just a few names that could be contenders, there’s clearly more to add to the list, in all divisions.
BIKINI:
Danielle Carr was 6th at this show last year and will look to move up into the top five this time around. Nola June has been up and down in the placings and if she comes in on point she can be a contender here. Kate Fishler was on top of her game at the NPC JR Nationals but slipped a bit at the Jr. Nationals. She has stunning good looks and wouldn’t bet against her finishing in the top two of her class. One who will definitely be a fan favorite is Denise Milani. Denise has built a huge online following and if she brings a better cut suit to this stage than her last NPC outing she could be a contender here. Maureen Doherty from Temecula, CA is one to watch in the open and in the 35 and over class. Paola Terry will make the trip to from Anchorage, Alaska and could be a leading lady in this show. She took top honors at the 2012 Emerald Cup earlier this year. Adrienne Crenshaw has been oh so close this year placing second at both the NPC Jr USA and NPC Jr Nationals this year. She’ll look to take a pro card home to Texas on Saturday night. Another Texan to keep an eye on is Siliana Gaspard. She took top honors at the 2011 NPC Texas and was third at the 2011 North Americans. If she brings the look she has to past shows, she’ll leave with a pro card.
FIGURE:
The Figure competition will be stacked in every class. Krista Dunn returns to the stage looking to crack the top spots. The Colorado girl has been consistently at the top in each of her National shows. Michelle Beck will make a return to the stage and if she comes in tight without being too hard, she could be a top contender in the tall class. Victoria Adelus was fifth in her class at last year’s Team U. She’ll hope to move into the top two spots this weekend. She was second at this year’s Emerald Cup held in April. Corinna Booth as the queen of the 2011 Ft. Lauderdale Cup and took second at this year’s New York Mets. Look for her to be a contender in her class. Patty Zariello has been knocking on a pro card’s door several times but came up just short. Look for her to do well and potentially leave with IFBB Pro status on Saturday night. Amy Puglise knows all to what what it’s like to be close to a pro card. She was second at the 2011 NPC Nationals and runner up at the 2012 NPC Jr Nationals. Another figure competitor who knows what it’s like to be in the top five but just miss out on turning pro is Michelle DeRosa. Michelle was third at the 2011 NPC Nationals and 4th at this year’s NPC JR USA. Kelly Booth Hater was second at the 2012 NPC JR Nationals B Class. She’ll look to match or surpass that here and leave a pro.
BODYBUILDING:
If things continue to go the way they have, look for the women’s bodybuilding numbers to be the lowest of all the divisions this weekend. Look for three women to be battling for the top spots and they could all face off in the Master’s division. Gail Auerbach, Michelle Brent and Christine Sabo. All three women have been at the top of t heir game before and if they bring their best here they could leave with IFBB Pro status. Sabo has the most potential of the group and if she’s on point she could leave your overall champ.
FITNESS:
The Fitness division should see decent numbers given that it’s the NPC Fitness Nationals and the top two in each of the three height classes achieve IFBB Pro status. I look for around 30 competitors to enter this weekend’s event. A couple familiar names to the Fitness stage are Babette Mulford and Lisha Dean. Both women have come close to turning pro a number of times. I can’t see Babette leaving Jersey still an amateur if she brings the same thing she did to Jr Nationals. Lisha starts strong and tends to get a little winded mid-way through her routine. If she can keep her energy high through out the routine and come in just a bit tighter, she could leave with pro status. Alexis Paige showed potential in her Fitness debut in Chicago. If she speeds up her routine a bit and has some more strength moves she could do well. Ashley Sebera is knocking on the door to pro status as well. The Ohio girl has been moving up in the ranks this year and finished third at the NPC JR Nationals. Look for her to be a contender here. There will be a number of others that could leave with pro status and ultimately the best combo of a routine and physique should prevail.
WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE:
There are three pro cards up for grabs in each of the three height classes and this division has been blowing up as the year progresses. Nine women will leave with IFBB Pro status so you can bet this division will be packed once again. You have to figure Rachel Baker is one of the odds on favorites to leave a pro and potentially win the whole show. She’s come close on a number of occasions and definitely has the look of the division. Tony Perdikakis will look to come in a bit tighter in the legs than she was at the Greater Gulf States and try her hand at a division. Andrea Holliday will also be making the switch from Figure to Physique. If she can come in full she might have a chance to do well.
WHAT:
NPC Team Universe Bodybuilding, Figure, Bikini, Women’s Physique & Men’s Physique Championships in conjunction with the NPC National Fitness Championships
WHEN:
July 6-7, 2012
WHERE:
Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe
100 Frank W Burr Boulevard
Teaneck, NJ 07666
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
FRIDAY PREJUDGING – 4 pm EST
• Fitness Routines
• Men’s Bodybuilding (Open & Masters)
• Women’s Bodybuilding (Open &Masters)
• Men’s Physique
SATURDAY PREJUDGING – 9 am EST
• Women’s Physique
• Figure
• Fitness Two-Piece
• Bikini
Finals 6pm
COMPETITOR MEETINGS:
FRIDAY, JULY 6
1:00pm – Fitness
1:30pm – Men’s Bodybuilding (Open & Masters)
2:00pm – Women’s Bodybuilding
2:30pm – Men’s Physique
SATURDAY, JULY 7
7:30am – Figure & Women’s Physique
8:00am – Bikini
Follow all the coverage here and on twitter with the hashtag #teamU.
