Ranking update

One-third of the figure season is in the books and the field is starting to shape up a bit. Although it may come as a shock, but no one in the Top 3 is named Monica, Davana, Jenny or Mary; which may be a first. Occupying those top spots are Christine Pomponio-Pate, who has placed in the Top 3 in her last 2 shows. Right on her heels are Latisha Wilder and Gina Camacho, who are only two ranking points behind Christine. Rounding out the Top 5 are Jenny Lynn, who has been very strong in her first two shows of the year, and Chastity Slone, who will be taking the next few months off to prepare for the Olympia.

The James Brown Award for Figure (hardest working girl in the biz) goes to Zhanna Rotar. The Orange County competitor has only missed out on one competition this year, the Pittsburgh Pro, making it four out of a possible five. And it's not like she hasn't done well either, with numerous Top 10 finishes and a 4th place showing in the mix.

Also of note is Valarie Waugaman and Gina Aliotti. Valarie is one of the few people to ever top Jenny Lynn in a figure competition, a feat she accomplished at the Colorado Pro. Gina Aliotti accomplished a large feat herself, qualifying for the Olympia at 21 years old. She will be the youngest figure competitor to ever compete at the Olympia, and quite possibly be the youngest athlete to step on stage there in any discipline.

While figure has 5 competitions under its proverbial belt, fitness is off to a slower start this year, with only 2 shows being completed and 3/4 of the season still remaining. It's still a bit too early to guage how things may pan out this year, however we currently have Julie Childs, Adela Garcia, Kimberly Klein, Heidi Fletcher, Jen Henderschott and Angela Semsch rounding out the Top 5 (there are some ties mixed in there, so that's why there are 6 names listed).