Hottest Bods of 2k22

We are back with the Hottest Bods of 2k22 in sports and entertainment! Our acknowledgement of these great women of our culture started during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic as the games and live shows came to a halt. Business has picked back up in sports and entertainment but we are still shining a light on the hard work that these wonderful women have produced on their physiques and in life.

Angel Gazaway - Eastern Michigan Track & Field

Caitlin Cooper - Troy University Volleyball

Becca Ripley - UCF

Interview with Whitney Ward

Whitney Ward competed for Illinois State where she was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference champion as a member of the 1,600-meter relay. She is now beginning her pro career. We took a second to talk to her about body positivity and how it has impacted her life and career.

Winners Only: As an athlete what are some of the biggest sacrifices you have had to make to maintain the best physique possible?

Whitney Ward: Some sacrifices that I have made to maintain the best physique possible are not eating pork and not eating beef.

What would you say are the biggest changes that you have dealt with outwardly as far as your body is concerned and how did you deal with them?

The biggest changes I’ve dealt with was being so little with big breast. I dealt with it by staying in shape and toning my body so eventually I lost a couple of pounds and those pounds came from my breast so they got smaller.

A few decades ago women felt pressure to be thin. Now days thicker bodies are celebrated have you ever felt the pressure of maintaining a certain body type?

No I haven’t I love my body and everything about it.

Many women's athletes in various sports are showcasing femininity in how they wear their unis, for example basketball players are rolling up their shorts and playing with lashes when the didn't do that 10 years ago. Track athletes have been doing that for decades. When you get on the track how do you like to express your femininity through your look?

I like to express my femininity through the many different hairstyles I have and the long nails which I love.

Everybody isn't comfortable with attention. Do you embrace the attention you get or no?

Yes I embrace it because everyone doesn’t have that support or gets to feel proud about what they do, so yes I embrace it from everyone. That shows that they are proud of me or are supporting me.

Let's talk about your new photos. First off they're beautiful and congrats. Tell us about the statement that is being made with those shots.

Thank you so much. It’s really just to be comfortable in your own skin and body no matter what your wearing or how you wear it, own it!

Finally let's talk about track before we wrap up. Tell me about your college experience. What was the most enjoyable thing about going to Illinois state. What was your biggest accomplishment. And what are your future plans in the sport.

My college experience was very good at Illinois State. I learned a lot about myself and others and my team as well. If I could go back I would because I met a lot of great people. The most enjoyable thing about ISU was being able to not only see but compete a long side of my two besties everyday. My biggest accomplishment was not giving up on myself in the sport when I lost myself. Instead I worked harder and stayed focus and went after what I wanted. My future plans for this sport is to one day be in the Olympics and I’m willing to work hard and do whatever to get there.