Twelve women will head to St. Louis this weekend in hopes of qualifying for the Bikini Olympia. Jack Titone’s IFBB St. Louis Pro Bikini contest serves as the last chance for the women to qualify. The winner will head to the big show in Las Vegas, second through fifth with collect points in the new Qualification Point Series. Check out the line-up and the various scenarios with the current point standings.
THE HARDBODY 411
Two women in this line-up are currently qualified for the Olympia. A number of women are in the mix for points but who will prevail and head to Vegas? Let’s break it down.
1. Jennifer Andrews – Lexington, Kentucky
Jennifer has been up and down in the placings. She tends to fair better at smaller shows than the larger ones, that said look for her to be in the mix of the top spots. She presents in a more beauty pageant type of manner than some of the other competitors. She had success in St. Louis earlier this year and will look to do so again. Jennifer is already qualified for the Olympia so the pressure is off, but will she be at 100% with the Olympia just 2 weeks after this show? View Contest Photos.
2. Christy Cook – St. Peters, Missouri
Christy will look to get in the mix of the top five here. She’s been on the outside looking in her last two outings. She was 7th at the Tampa Pro and 8th at the Greater Gulf States. She’s switched up her training and presentation over the last year. She’ll have her work cut out for her here but she could be in the mix. View Contest Photos.
3. Gemmalyn Crosby – Phillipines
Gemmalynn continues to refine her physique since taking the pro stage. She was at her best at last week’s Valenti Gold Cup. If she comes in similar to that fullness, she’ll be in the hunt once again. It will be a bit tougher competition with a different judging panel so we’ll see how she matches up. She has the hair whip down from the back, which I’m not a fan of but it obviously hasn’t hurt her on the judges score sheets. View Contest Photos.
4. Ruth Harrison – Bremerton, Washington
Ruth also known as Ruthie will be making her IFBB Pro debut and look for her to make an immediate impact in the pro ranks. She’s one of the taller women of the division but has natural beauty. She achieved IFBB Pro status at the 2012 NPC JR Nationals earlier this year by winning her class. I look for her to be one of the leading ladies and my pick to shake things up and leave with the win. View Contest Photos.
5. Michon Leddy – Waukee, Iowa
Michon turned pro at the 2012 NPC Teen, Collegiate, Master’s Nationals. She’ll have her work cut out for her with this line up. If she can come in better than she did her last show then it will be a win for her. Mishon has continue to improve her physique over the last few shows. View Contest Photos.
6. Deborah Lee – Delray Beach, Florida
Deborah Lee is coming off an overall win at the 2012 Master’s Nationals and looks to continue on her winning ways. She has been in the winner’s circle and on the outside of the top 5 as an amateur. If she’s relaxed and poses with confidence she could crack the top five but she’ll need to channel positive energy an bring that to the stage. View Contest Photos.
7. Dayna Maleton – Manalapan, New Jersey
Dayna has competed in four shows this year and she’s finished in 4th place each show. That says something for her consistency on stage but she’ll look to break the 4th place streak in her fifth show. She’s one of the more muscular women on stage but she carries it well. She’s refined her presentation and can hold her own in the top line-ups whereas before she’d be on the outside looking in based largely on her posing. View Contest Photos.
8. Nicole Moneer – Schaumburg, Illinois
Nicole is already qualified for the Olympia with her 3rd place finish at the 2011 Iowa Pro. This was before the new qualification series took place. Her lone show this year, the Pittsburgh Pro, she finished in 12th place. This will be a tough show for her to crack the top spots but will have a chance to workout any prep details before the Olympia. View Contest Photos.
9. Justine Munro – Ontario Canada
The lone Canadian, Justine will look to finish in the top places and head to the Olympia again. She has the looks and she has the presentation. It will come down to her conditioning. She’ll need to have her legs down in size without her abs being too lean. She has a pair of second place finishes and has a chance for the win here. View Contest Photos.
10. Marcela Tribin – Columbia
Marcela has three pro shows and three top five finishes. There’s no denying she has the walk down and she has the looks that the judges are drawn to. She was at her best last week at the Valenti Gold Cup where she finished second. Marcela will be looking for a top five finish again to secure a spot in the Olympia via the point series. View Contest Photos.
11. Michelle Trasey – Overland Park, Kansas
This will be Michelle’s 4th pro show and she will be looking to crack the top five for the first time. Her highest finish to date was 7th at the 2011 Ft. Lauderdale Pro. She’s coming off a 12th place finish at the Tampa Pro and will have a tough time cracking the top spots here. She definitely brings the “sass” to the stage. View Contest Photos.
12. Christina Vujnich – Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Christina will look to get into top spots in hopes of heading to the Bikini Olympia. Christina was 5th at the March St. Louis Pro and will look to get in the mix again this year. She has a distinct look with her short hair however her presentation is what, in my opinion, has held her back. She tends to make goofy facial expressions and seems a bit nervous. She has improved over her presentation since turning pro, so we’ll have to see what she brings to the stage. View Contest Photos.
The Olympia Qualification Point Series
1. Jennifer Chapman – 13
2. Justine Munro – 8
2. Marcela Tribin – 8
2. Taylor Matheny – 8
2. Dayna Maleton – 8
6. Cristina Vujnich – 3
After doing the current standings and scenarios it appears the field is set. Justine, Marcela and Dayna are all in the show and tied for second in current points. Only Cristina Vujnich as points in the top 10 however with 3 points she would not be able to qualify unless she wins. Second place is 4 points so she’d end up falling short by one point.
2012 IFBB ST. LOUIS PRO BIKINI COMPETITORS:
1. Jennifer Andrews – Lexington, Kentucky
2. Christy Cook – St. Peters, Missouri
3. Gemmalyn Crosby – Phillipines
4. Ruth Harrison – Bremerton, Washington
5. Michon Leddy – Waukee, Iowa
6. Deborah Lee – Delray Beach, Florida
7. Dayna Maleton – Manalapan, New Jersey
8. Nicole Moneer – Schaumburg, Illinois
9. Justine Munro – Ontario Canada
10. Marcela Tribin – Columbia
11. Michelle Trasey – Overland Park, Kansas
12. Christina Vujnich – Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Ron “The Yogi’s Picks:
1. Jennifer Andrews
2. Justine Munro
3. Marcela Tribin
4. Dayna Maleton
5. Christina Vujnich
Isaac’s Picks:
1. Ruthie Harrison
2. Justine Munro
3. Jennifer Andrews
4. Dayna Maleton
5. Marcela Tribin
EVENT INFORMATION:
VENUE:
Rickman Auditorium. Theater
745 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold, MO, 63010.
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE DOOR ONLY!
TIME:
Pro Check-in:Friday Sept 14th at 5:00pm at Host Hotel
Prejudging: Saturday Sept 15th 10am
Finals: Saturday, Sept. 15th 6pm
Liquid Sun Rayz is the official tanner – www.liquidsunrayz.com
Laurie St Michaels is the official makeup artist contact info (479) 616-0922 and email is Lstm1976@hotmail.com
HOST HOTEL:
Drury Inn & Suites
3800 State Route 141 Arnold, MO 63010
Telephone: (636) 287-3111
Individual Call-In reservations can be made by reserving online, go to www.druryhotels.com, then enter group number of 2153053. Reservations may also be made by calling 1-800-325-0720 and refer to the group number of 2153053. Rooms rate range from 84.00 to 94.00 per nite.
For more info visit: http://npcmidwest.com/pro/
