Butler Twp. woman goes pro as bodybuilder
BUTLER TWP — After 10 years in bodybuilding, Theresa Ivancik has reached the pinnacle of her sport.
And the 33-year-old Butler Township resident got there well ahead of schedule.
Ivancik placed second out of eight women in her first professional show in Norfolk, Va., recently. The runner-up finish gave her enough points to qualify for the Wings of Strength Rising Phoenix Show Sept. 9 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Having faced competition from Brazil, Italy, Canada, Georgia, California and other areas at the Norfolk show, Ivancik will now be up against the best of the best in Arizona.
She will be one of 15 to 20 women bodybuilders, all competing in one open division, from all over the world.
“This is as high as it gets,” Jeff Harlan, owner of Harlan Elite Fitness in Butler and one of Ivancik's trainers, said. “This Wings of Strength event is like the Super Bowl in football or the Stanley Cup in hockey.
“Most women at that level are 38 to 42 years old. Theresa will likely be the youngest and most inexperienced pro in the competition.”
She still wants to win — or at least finish among the top five.
“You always want to win,” Ivancik admitted. “But the top five automatically qualify for this show next year, without having to earn the points to get there. That's where I want to be.”
“Theresa can go no higher in terms of competition,” Harlan enthused. “Now she has years to finish the climb to being the best in the world.”
A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.
