Friday night kicked things off with the fitness two-piece round, and a number of familiar athletes graced the stage and again were accompanied by many new and promising athletes. With six pro cards up for grabs, it was critical to do well enough in the first round to be positioned well before the rest of prejudging and the routine round on Saturday morning.

In the short class newcomer Melissa Maffioli had a striking physique with a tiny waist and very nice aesthetic lines. Along with improved muscularity from her showing at the 2002 Contra Costa earlier in the year, Maffioli was definitely ready for the national stage. Pressing her were Rose Hendricks, Tricia Temple, Stacy Jensen and Carissa Carter. Nicole Rollolazo also made improvements and carried momentum from her win at the LA Championships the week before. However, Rollolazo's strength is her routine.

In the medium height class, Kimberly Scheidler and Kimberly Lyons were both impressive. Sporting tight and balanced physiques, the two were very close, with Scheidler getting the judges nod. Angela Semsch also looked very strong and lean, with Teri Mooney looking muscular and tight as well.

The tall class was large, and Florida's Melissa Babers was outstanding in her two-piece. Followed closely by Elizabeth Maurice and Kimberly Becker. Maurice has a very nice look from the back with strong definition, while Adria Klein was tight and balanced.

Saturday brought with it the fitness routine round, and in the short class, it was Nicole Rollolazo impressing everyone with a tremendous performance that was electrifying and worthy of the pro stage. Heather McCormick, nine months out from a pregnancy looked strong and her gymnastics background as an All-American at UGA (University of Georgia) was evident. Carissa Carter had a very creative routine with interesting moves, while Tricia Temple and Wendy Dutch also performed well.

The medium class had one of the more interesting routines from Kimberly Lyons, coming out in a mermaid outfit that she had to be carried onto the stage in. However, it was Kimberly Scheidler's routine that was the best in class, with Sandie Ward and Peggy Sue Crawford also performing well. Teri Mooney had some of the best strength moves and Kelly Graham brought good stage presence to her performance.

Julie Childs (formerly Shipley) edged Bridgette Newell out barely with her routine, with both competitors performing well. Newell once again performed her blindfolded tumbling which is always a bit nerve wracking to watch, but nevertheless impressive. Adria Klein, Kristin Rosen, Elizabeth Maurice and Sara Waide all performed well too.

As only the top five made the final rounds, it was Rollolazo taking the top spot in the short class, with Carissa Carter taking the other pro card in the division. The two Kimberlys, Lyon and Scheidler took the pro cards in the medium class, but the competition at Nationals should be wide open with a very balanced and competitive class. The same could be said for the tall class where any number of the top eight should be able to place well, now that Julie Childs and Adria Klein have both turned pro.

In the lightweights familiar faces like Michelle Burdick, Melanie Thompson, Shannon Rabon, King Raub and Tricia Travis were mixed in with some up-and-comers like Jamie Troxel and Meghan King. Many expected Rabon to be a favorite and she came in looking good, but just not quite hard enough. Without the degree of separation and cuts that Thompson sported, Rabon finished just behind her in second. The battle for the class title at Nationals should be interesting with a pro card on the line in November.

Middleweights took the stage next, and of the athletes that did not make the cut, notables included Tami Tucker of South Carolina and Kris Onken of Minnesota. Tucker surprisingly didn't make the cut, but should be someone to keep an eye on.

At the top of the class, it was a fierce competition between Rosemary Jennings and local Las Vegas resident Jeannie Paparone, but it was Jennings' muscle maturity and density that won out in the end. The third place spot was taken by the tight and sliced Tonia Williams. Cindy Downies took fourth, but was pressed hard by first time USA competitor Debbie Bramwell who had some of the best separation and cuts on stage. Anita Nikolich followed up and sported the class' best hamstrings. Yolanda Martinez also presented a well-balanced and pleasing package on stage.

The massive heavyweight class was strong, but maybe not quite as deep with solid competitiors as previous USAs. Tatiana Butler had to widthdraw although she made the top 15 cut and had to get off stage during prejudging due to dehydration it appeared. Jennifer Kaylor did not make the top 15, but looked very impressive at a stage weight of 196 lbs. on her six-foot plus frame. Although she'll be hard to miss, keep and eye out for Kaylor to make an impact in future competitions.

Vying for the top spot were Collette Nelson who became the competitions first heavyweight repeat winner by again taking the class this year, followed by the rising Alley Miesch-Nie and Heather Policky. Both are fast rising stars, while veterans Michelle Tuggle, Sylvia Cowen and Annie Rivieccio all were in top form. Geri Deach was another newcomer to the national stage and placed a solid seventh.

As is often the case, the judging in the heavyweight class was the most criticized with the crowd yelling its disapproval at the judges placings. Policky (pronounced poh-LISH-kee) was clearly the crowd favorite with her sweeping quads, thick upper body and flowing lines. Thick with muscle throughout, but not shredded, she placed fourth and will be a formidable competitor that has great pro potential.

Miesch-Nie has a nice balanced physique looking almost like a middleweight at times, while Tuggle had some of the densest muscle along with Rivieccio. Both have incredible muscle maturity as well, and are always threats to take the class. Steadily improving Yamile Marrero looked good, and Beverly DiRenzo and Maya Stone should continue to move up the rankings.

The Nationals should shape up to be a real battle with a lot of strong athletes from the USAs looking prime to compete for the three pro cards that will be up for grabs. Additionally there are many top competitors who have laid low to focus exclusively on the show so the rest of the compeitive year should be a hot one.