2008 NPC Junior Nationals

June 20-21, 2008 - by gene x hwang

Rosemont, IL , USA - An indication that changes are still happening in figure and bodybuilding was the fact that there were no lightweight competitors in the women's bodybuilding competition at the 2008 NPC Jr. Nationals.  While figure had 170 athletes competing for the four pro cards that were available, there were less than 20 competitors in women's bodybuilding.  The ones that did compete in bodybuilding though showed a range of physiques that were capped off my overall champion Amber Defrancesco.  

The cutoff weight for the lightweight class has always been a tough one to come in under for any competitors over a certain heigh and this year there were two competitors going for the class.  One athlete pulled out while the other just missed making weight.  So the middleweights ended up being the largest class and was won by Heather Bayer who bro

ught fantastic conditioning to compliment her solid physique.  She edged out Kira Neuman, the rising star from Indiana who has a great back like Bayer.  

Angelita Mcghee, who was working with Robin Parker took third ahead of  the impressively muscular Lisa Aranda.  Aranda was probably the most muscular competitor in the class and has made great improvements each time she takes the stage.  Lisa Janusz completed the top five and had a fantastic torso with very impressive abdominals.

The always competitive light heavyweight class was won by Justine Dohring who brought in a very well-balanced package.  Her conditioning was on and she has good muscularity throughout and impressive delts.  Roxanne Edwards was in top shape too displaying a very tight physique and placed second followed by former fitness athlete Sherrie Enos.  Enos' muscular physique was in place on the bodybuilding stage just as was former figure athlete Deanna Harvick who took fourth.  Harvick is one of the many former figure athletes who has enjoyed the switch over to bodybuilding and is very enthusiastic about the sport.  Fifth in the class went to another Robin Parker protogee Dominique Durand who has a very nice presence on stage, and also has a nice back and delts.

The heavies were home to the overall champ, Amber Defrancesco, another Pennsylvanian who's gone on to win the overall at the Jr Nationals - the most recent fellow stateswoman being Sarah Dunlap several years ago. Defrancesco has a really impressive physique that's well balanced.   Her legs and calves are outstanding and her conditioning was spot on too.  Her presentation and poise on stage were that of a champion and we should be seeing a lot of great things from her in the future. 

Defrancesco beat out Monique  Jones who has tremendous shape.  Her back and v-taper are going to be hard to beat if she comes in just a shade tighter.  In third was Angela Rayburn who also has a nice shape and balance to her physique.  She was just ahead of Robyn Mentgen who was very lean - with striations in her glutes - and Colorado resident Andrea Wanek took fifth.  Wanek works with Heather Armbrust at Colorado Pro Gym and had added some nice size since we last saw her checking out the Olympia.

Check out our message boards to discuss and follow the weekend live, post your thoughts and chat with the athletes!

Additional Notes from IFBB Women's Historian Steve Wennestrom:
"Amber Defrancesco is the third competitor from Pennsylvania to win the overall NPC Junior National crown since the contest's inception in 1986. The others were Kim King in 1988, and Sarah Dunlap in 2002. Both Dunlap and King turned pro later in their competitive careers. There have been 23 past overall winners at this contest, and nine of them went on to turn pro including two future Ms. Olympias - Lenda Murray (1989) and Kim Chizevsky (1992). Other past Junior National winners who turned pro include Sharon Marvel (she was Arrildt at the time) in 1987, Debbie Muggli in 1990, Amy Pazzo in 1996 (and she beat heavyweight winner Lesa Lewis for the overall!!), Sherry Smith in 1999, and Dena Westerfield in 2003 (Emily Holder topped the heavies, but missed winning the overall in the battle for the overall). Lastly, yes, it was the first time that ANY class at the Junior Nationals went uncontested when no entries surfaced in the lightweight class this year. Looks like it's time to bump up the weight break. All the smaller women are drifting to figure where the added muscle size isn't needed."

Results

Bodybuilding Overall:  Amber Defrancesco Middleweights (scoresheet): 1) Heather Bayer 2) Kira Neuman 3) Angelita McGhee 4) Lisa Aranda 5) Lisa Janusz Light Heavyweights (scoresheet): 1) Justine Dohring 2) Roxanne Edwards 3) Sherrie Enos 4) Deanna Harvick 5) Dominique Durand Heavyweights (scoresheet): 1) Amber Francesco 2) Monique Jones 3) Angela Rayburn 4) Robyn Mentgen 5) Andrea Wanek Fitness Overall: Stephanie Irick* Short (scoresheet) 1) Stephanie Irick* 2) Nita Marquez 3) Paula Williams-Gulman 4) Rachel Patton 5) Babette Mulford Medium (scoresheet) 1) Melissa Frederick* 2) Lishia Dean 3) Jessica Clay 4) Heather Malone 5) Gina Crum Tall (scoresheet) 1) Betsy McNally-Harris* 2) Sandi Stuart 3) Jo Marriner 4) Alissa Carpio 5) Amanda Marinelli  * eligible for IFBB Pro Card

Figure Overall:  Julie Kulla* Class A (scoresheet) 1) Sue Upson* 2) Kara Flowers 3) Akane Nigro-Ismeal 4) Prudence Moe 5) Jennifer Hoffman Class B (scoresheet) 1) Julie Kulla* 2) Liza Kampstra 3) Melody Clere 4) Josie Zamora 5) Soleivi Hernandez Class C (scoresheet) 1) Teresa Gillian* 2) Gale Elie 3) Pamela Soper 4) Ana Tigre 5) Chrissy Burton Class D (scoresheet) 1) Terri Turner 2) Veronica Miller 3) Kristy McKinney 4) Alicia Harris 5) Jennifer Toth Class E (scoresheet) 1) Catherine Holland* 2) Jenny Lewis 3) Jaime Meade 4) Holly Powell 5) Sarah Wernert Class F (scoresheet) 1) Jennifer Martin 2) Noel Clark 3) Ali Houston 4) Christine Aguilar 5) Amanda Breznau * eligible for IFBB Pro Card