Pro/Am Contests Blog

Cookie, Cookie, Cookie starts with C! Chicago starts with C. Hey why not enjoy cookies in Chicago? That’s exactly what NPC competitor Shelley Hillesheim decided to do at the 2009 NPC JR Nationals.

Shelley learned everything she knows about cookies from the C-monster himself.

Crossed-Eyed Celeste

Sometimes listening to everyone but yourself can cause you to go a little batty. During my conversation with newly crowned IFBB Bikini Pro Jennifer Celeste, it became apparent to me that she fell victim to this. Jennifer competed a couple weeks ago in the NPC California State show and failed to make the top 5 in her class. I wasn’t there but from the looks of her photos you could tell she wasn’t at her best. When I asked her about it in Chicago she said, “ya that pretty much sucked.” So she went with what worked in the past, came in a few pounds lighter, wore a different suit and you could see her confidence level soar. She rocked the stage and was definitely a stand out in the show.

Lesson here: your confidence level translates on stage. If you’re off your game it will show on stage. Do ya thang and do what works for you.

The 2009 NPC Junior Nationals may have had some terrible weather but had some amazing talent.

Check out the beautiful women who earned their Bikini Pro Cards.

Marzia Prince

Sonya Vecchiarelli

Janet Harding

Jennifer Celeste

Check out Bodybuilding.com’s full contest coverage from this competition right here.

2009 NPC Junior National Results. Check out the results from the 2009 NPC Junior National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships here. [ View 2009 NPC Junior National Results ]

2009 NPC Junior National Photos Check out the pictures of the 2009 NPC Junior National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships.  See pictures of contestants, crowds and competition! [ 2009 NPC Junior National Photos ] [ Mens Photos ] [ Bantamweight ] [ Lightweight ] [ Welterweight ] [ Middleweight ] [ Light-Heavyweight ] [ Heavyweight ] [ Super-Heavyweight ] [ Bikini Photos ] [ Class A ] [ Class B ] [ Class C ] [ Class D ] [ Class E ] [ Class F ] [ Figure Photos ] [ Class A ] [ Class B ] [ Class C ] [ Class D ] [ Class E ] [ Class F ] [ Fitness Photos ] [ Class A ] [ Class B ] [ Class C ] [ Routines ] [ Womens Photos ] [ Lightweight ] [ Middleweight ] [ Light-Heavyweight ] [ Heavyweight ]

Bikini A Class
1. Sonya Vecchiarelli
2. Khang Nguyen
3. Angela Harrell
4. Maggie Secord
5. Cher Nicolas

Bikini B Class
1. Janet Harding
2. Toniann Rotante
3. Catherine Torres
4. Adrienne Gatch

Bikini C Class
1. Jennifer Celeste
2. Melissa Grady
3. LeighAnn Kerr
4. Meggan Clay
5. Lisa Taylor

Bikini D Class
1. Shay Monroe
2. Jamie Polk
3. Kat Holmes
4. Tanya McCort
5. Elizabeth Scheer-Radinovic

View Contest Photos Here.

Here is a quick shot of the results for the 2009 Npc Jr Nationals Tweeted from Isaac Hinds, hardbodynews.

Fig. A: 5th Alicia bell, 4th ecanterina pasiakos, 3rd catherine Chlipala, 2nd Mandy Henderson, 1st christina Vargas

Fig B: 5th Tara green, 4th ann pratt, 3rd Candice Houston, 2nd soleivi hernandez, 1st josie zamora.

Fig. C: 5th pamela soper, 4th monica specking, 3rd Chrissy burton, 2nd emily Nicholson, 1st karly woodle.

Fig. D: 5th Jena Robertson, 4th marin kimura, 3rd jenny lewis, 2nd Marie ann Newman, 1st terri turner.

Fig. E: 5th veronica miller, 4th patricia nguyen, 3rd jennifer woodruff, 2nd jaime Meade, 1st Elizabeth Earhart.

Fig. F: 5th jennifer hernandez, 4th julie jepson-Garcia, 3rd jeanne nimmer, 2nd amanda breznau, 1st Jody Minear

Follow the resutls as Isaac Tweets them live right here.

I’m in Chicago covering the NPC JR. Nationals for bodybuilding.com and will be providing updates here as well as via my twitter account at www.twitter.com/hardbodynews. Follow all the action from the Windy City right here. We’ll be posting photos from tonight’s female competition shortly after the event.

Here’s a look outside the host hotel. Not so good for those staying outside of the host hotel and needing to travel.

Keisha Pedigo is one figure competitor to watch at the upcoming NPC Jr. Nationals. I’m told by Doug “G.B.” Martin that Keisha took home top honors over the weekend in Indiana. He was kind enough to send along this photo from the show. Congrats Keisha!

Keisha Pedigo was 9th in her class at last year’s NPC Nationals. How will she fair in Chicago? Check out more pics of Keisha Pedigo.

Here are the competitions I will be competing in this year, hope to see you all there.

1. JR USA Charleston South Carolina May 23, 2009
(http://www.npcjrusa.com/)

2.NPC JR Nationals Chicago June 19-20, 2009 (http://www.npcjrnationals.com/home.htm)

3. NPC Master & Teen Nationals Pittsburgh PA. July 16-18, 2009.
(http://www.garyudit.com/npc_main.html)

Barbie Barbell

From http://www.hardbody.com/news/2009/02/18/2009-official-bikini-qualification-announcement/

Please note that for all 2009 National Bikini contests except the 2009 Junior USA Bikini Championships, an athlete must have competed in an NPC Bikini event prior to entering a national contest.

The following must be provided with your entry:
• NPC Bikini Contest Name
• Date Of Contest
• Contest Promoter
• Your Height Class & Final Placing

This includes:
• NPC JUNIOR NATIONAL BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
• NPC USA BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
• NPC TEAM UNIVERSE BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
• IFBB NORTH AMERICAN BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
• NPC NATIONAL BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS

Check out over 3,000 pictures from the JR Nationals at:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2008_junior_national_mainpage.htm

Check out the womens bodybuilding and figure pre-judging photos at:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2008_junior_national_mainpage.htm

More coming soon.

WW

Last night the men and women weighed in and the fitness/figure ladies had their heights checked. There are close to 200 figure competitors in this show and 100-110 men will be competing. The buzz of the night was all around Trey Brewer and what he would look like. He tipped the scale at 249lbs and I gotta give the dude props he made one helluva transformation from when I saw him in Pittsburgh a month ago. He definitely leaned up and is in decent condition. He still has a little on his back side that may or may not tighten up by the time he takes the stage on Saturday. One dude who is ginormous was Sean Allen. There’s a reason why people refer to him as "Big Sean" Allen. Sean weighed in at 280lbs and is in his best condition. He’ll be a force to reckon with in the super-heavyweight class. There were a number of guys in the lighter classes that are in great condition but anything could happen in two days. Some tighten up more while others will smooth out. We’ll have to wait and see how the men look until tomorrow but tonight the women will take the stage at 5pm.

The boys at the home office in Boise should be putting up photos from the check-in so look for those. Here are a couple until the rest are posted. You can also catch up on my female coverage on HARDBODY.com or on my LIFTstudios’ blog here on bodybuilding.com.

I’m all checked in the host hotel and surprise surprise surprise! I got me a doll garn good internet connection for once. If I weren’t on that blasted 27 Days of BB.com I’d be fixing to drink me a beer to celebrate. Aight I am annoying myself with the hick talk. All is well here in Chicago, hotel rooms are nice. Conveniently close to the airport. My cabbie was a moron and ran a read light then stopped in the middle of the intersection to back up. BRILLIANT. I’ll be taking the courtesy hotel shuttle.

I spotted NPC District Chairman, Lee Thompson as well as Nelson Almerico - husband to IFBB Figure Pro Paolo Almerico. I shared a cab with the lovely Brazilian Lulu Tigre, sister to Ana Tigre. Our flights arrived at the same time. IFBB Pro Lianne Seiwald was on my flight with one of her competitors. IFBB Pro Bridgette Murray texted me and said it didn’t look good on getting into Chicago today, she’s flying standby which can royally suck at times.

Check out my preview that is up on the site now for this show:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2008npcjrnat_preview2.htm

I’m going to check out the scene in the hotel lobby and then take a few photos at checkin tonight. Stop back throughout the weekend for more coverage.

Could "BIG SEAN" Allen be the next NPC Jr. Nationals Champion? We’ll find out in a few short days who will leave Chicago the overall champ. Michael Lockett was victorious last year who will it be this year? You may also recall Jennifer Gates won the overall figure crown and has gone onto win a pro show, compete in the Olympia and Arnold and is now considered a top pro in the figure ranks. This show will be one to watch. If you’re in Chicago say hello if not, check back as I will be covering all the action for bodybuilding.com in Chicago this weekend.

Sean posted this photo of himself in the MD forums.