2009 Another Jr and Another Step Forward
After my 2008 win at the Jr USA and my Overall win at the 2008 Pittsburgh Championships I was looking for a new show to try. I didn't feel ready for the USA and I wasn't ready to try the Team Universe again as I was listening to negative comments from others questioning the credibility of the drug-testing of the Team Universe. I no longer fall prey to that way of thinking. See my 2010 competition blog.

Blond this Time - Far Right

I decided on the Jr. Nationals held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont, IL on June 19-20th 2009. This was a challenging year in my life and it was by far my best showing. I placed 4th in the middleweight class. I lacked confidence this year due to some of the challenges I was dealing with & I think it showed in my entire package and stage presence, so in 2009 I made the decision to regroup, go off on my own again verses having a personal trainer and see what I could do on my own. It was a good decision and one that resulted in personal growth and more change for the better. I needed that fourth place finish at the Jr. Nationals to give me another wake up call & force me into high gear again!

Unfortunately I don't have many photos from this year - seems as the film ran out in the camera at then end of the show & the roll with all the photos except the one above were left accidentally in the theatre booth! What a bummer...

The photo to the left was taken about 2 weeks out from the show. Man was I white! I remember being completely upset about how I looked not liking my conditioning. Looking back, it wasn't that bad except for Casper!