Huge Wins and Big Losses Rock the Phoenix Pro Figure

Oh, how the mighty are falling this late-summer season. First, reigning Bikini Olympia champ Sonia Gonzales slid to third at the Super Show in Dallas on August 13. Then Felicia Romero, Olympia and International top-fiver and winner of the California Pro in May, dropped to fourth in front of a hometown crowd at the Phoenix Pro Figure on August 27. Romero’s off-day (she was definitely in less-than-her-best shape) was good news for another local heroine, Candice Keene, who was anything but off her game. Consistent Candice, who has an enviable record for the 2012 season (six top-three finishes, including two wins) may have been at her all-time-best, winning the contest in convincing fashion.

Also taking advantage of the opening was newcomer Jami DeBernard (pictured), a class winner at the NPC USA four weeks earlier, who looked right at home in the winner’s circle in Phoenix. The 5’5” brunette from Granite Bay, California, got fifth in her debut at the Super Show and just kept rolling. Finishing only a point behind in third was Alea Suarez, who has worked hard in transitioning from bikini competition to figure. Fans everywhere are feeling good that the mother of three from Austin will be quarter-turning in the Figure Olympia along with Candice, Jami and company.

Heather Dees rounded out the top five.

Twenty-nine well-conditioned women came to the Mesa Art Center for this one. Find the complete results below.

As for Fee-Ro’s not making the top three in Phoenix, in our Figure and Bikini Olympia predictions video, shot a week earlier, I suggested that Felicia would come in third at the Figure O, and I’m standing by my statement. Anyone can have an off day, including the other three or four athlete who are gunning for that position.

Photo: Phoenix runner-up Jami DeBernard, who earned her card at the USA, wasted no time getting invited to the Olympia.

’11 Phoenix Pro Figure

1) Candice Keene*
2) Jami DeBernard*
3) Alea Suarez*
4) Felicia Romero
5) Heather Dees
6) Alicia Harris
7) Elisha Archibald
8) Kaylen McKenzie
9) Eleni Plakitsi
10) Crystal Chiles
11) Heather Grace
12) Sarah Dominguez
13) Michele Mayberry
14) Natalie Calland
15) Teresita Morales
16) Ann Pratt
16) Chelsey Morgenstern
16) Deborah Denio
16) Emily Nicholson
16) Jennifer DeJoya
16) Karly Woodle
16) Kiana Phi
16) Kimberly Sheppard
16) Lisa Maloy
16) Mikaila Soto
16) Mikhaylova Natalia
16) Raechelle Chase
16) Stefanie Bambrough
16) Tamee Marie
*Qualifies for the ’11 Figure Olympia.