World’s Hottest Athlete: Jennifer Barrretta vs. Candice Parker

#2 Jennifer Barretta vs. #7 Candice Parker

#2. Jennifer Barretta

Simply put, Jennifer is smoking hot. One of the better billiards players in the world, Barretta brought something special to the game. This former Ms. Philadelphia fitness winner is very easy on the eyes. It is no wonder that when Barretta is shooting pool in NYC, there is a line out the door of people who want “next.”

Q. Jennifer- Thank you for taking the time to sit down with InGameNow for our World’s Hottest Athlete post. We are interviewing women from a variety of sports. With the 2006 Empress Cup Championship, and a very impressive portfolio of pictures, you are a great choice for this post. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us.

Growing up, you were big into tennis. You made the switch to billiards. Even with tremendous success on the tables, do you regret leaving the courts?

A. I was never good enough at tennis to compete at a high level. I love the game, but unfortunately it’s very difficult to play in Manhattan.

Q. Women’s sports show tremendous success when the sport becomes sexy. Do you feel a connection to Anna Kournikova or Natalie Gulbis, to people that introduced sex appeal to their sport?

A. Yes, I do. People often call me the Anna Kournikova of pool, and I know they mean it in a derogatory way, but in my eyes she transcended the limitations of the sport and earned more money. People often criticize Anna (and me!), and say that we can’t really play, but that’s just not true. To be ranked in the top 12 in the world of any sport is an incredible accomplishment.

Q. I have made the anna k argument about tennis that you made. I agree with it 100%. The guys in the sport should kiss you and Danica’s feet. You girls made the guys a lot of money, and are great for the sport. Being ranked in the world is not easy…. people should respect it more. As they say in P.R…any attention is good attention. Look what Tonya Harding did for women’s figure skating.

You were on the fast track in billiards, and then son Max came along. You haven’t been on myspace in 6 months, your personal web site has not been updated in a year. Admit it, you shouldn’t be in a World’s Hottest Athlete contest, you should be in a World’s Happiest Mom contest :)

A. That couldn’t be more true! Before Max, pool meant the world to me. I still love the game, and I miss playing every day, but Max will only be this little once and I don’t want to miss a minute of it. Pool will be there when I’m ready to return.

Q. Please fill us in on what you have been up to lately.

A. Really just trying to be the best Mom I can be (that takes up an extraordinary amount of time!), and helping my husband get his new business off the ground. He just opened a private training studio in Manhattan, Rich Barretta Private Training www.richbarretta.com.

Q. Dara Torres had a child, then 2 years later became the oldest woman to ever swim in the Olympics.

A. Do you see yourself rising to the top of the billiards world anytime soon? I know what it takes to be the best at something, and to be honest, I’m not willing to make that sacrifice. My 14 hour practice days are over. I would like to go back on tour, be competitive and hopefully get back into the top 16.

Q. There is a lot of info out there on you growing up shooting20pool, that you live in NYC, and that you like to snowboard. In all of your previous interviews, you come off very intelligent. In one interview, you said the person you most wanted to meet was Stephen Hawking. Nobody has asked you about your education. So, tell us, where did you go to school, what did you major in, and how often do people take one look at you and instantly underestimate your brain power?
A. You’re getting the long answer on this one…growing up, my father, who holds a PhD in physics, was a University professor. I remember being about 5 years old and he would take me to class, where I would sit with a magnet, a compass and a pencil and map the magnetic field of the magnet. Later I attended that University (Villanova University) and received my Bachelor’s Degree. When I moved to New York I decided that I wanted to be a designer,so I went to Parson’s School of Design and got my Associates Degree in Fashion Design. I love to learn…that’s why I was so drawn to pool. There’s always more to learn about the game. As for people thinking I’m stupid? Who cares.

Q. Fans across the country were very disappointed when you did a photo shoot for Playboy, and it was NON NUDE. Would you like to make it up to your fans and strip down for InGameNow?

A. We could have a photographer at your door in 12 h ours. Ha! That’s funny! Honestly, Playboy didn’t ask me to go nude. Would I have? Who knows, but something tells me that InGameNow wouldn’t be throwing six figures at my feet!

Q. InGameNow is prepared to offer you $99.99 for nude photos (feel free to sleep on it)

A. Hmmm…I’m carefully considering. Will get back to you on that one. ;-)

Q. 18 months ago, I told my wife we were getting a dog. She had 4 weeks of excitement waiting for him to come. The night before we were supposed to pick up the dog, I told her a puppy would be too much responsibility for us, and gave the dog to my cousin. What would you do if your husband did that to you?

A. I would bring my husband to the pound. Where we would pick out another dog who really needs a home.

Q. Seriously, you are big into animals. My wife and I love them. Please plug your favorite animal charitys/funds/foundations.

A. Petfinder.com Don’t buy pets! There are thousands of them here! That’s how I found my adorable pit mix, Tucker. He was found on the streets of Delaware and was close to being put down at the SPCA until Mutts-n-more rescued him (muttsnmore.com). Mutts-n-more is a grassroots company that place shelter animals in foster homes to save them from being euthanized in the pound. Also, I have to give a shout out to the SPCA…yes, they euthanize long term animals, but in the end they give those animals another chance at life.

Q. All of our athletes have been asked these two questions. First, which type of athlete do you find sexiest?

A. There are a lot of sexy soccer players out there.

Q. Second, who is your pick for World’s Hottest Athlete?
A. Rob Dyrdek. Talented and funny…there’s nothing sexier!

Q. Your interview was Almost perfect. The last answer should be a girl!!!!! so I will let you take a mulligan That’s so unfair! Seriously, we need a girls name for Worlds Hottest Athlete!
A. Anna Kournikova is smoking hot…and she’s a great tennis player.

#7. Candice Parker

Candice Parker Candice will stop a room when she walks into it, and not because she is 6′4…she is absolutely georgous. She is the first person to win 2 USA Today Player of the Year awards. How well known is she, you ask? Well, the Wu-Tang Clan raps about her in the song “Starter.” Don’t get too close to her thogh, or Sheldon Williams might kick your ass!

Remember … your vote counts and you play a major role as the winner is decided by votes:

- 1 point by you the fans (based on your voting – a poll will be included in each match-up)
- 1 point by the InGameNow Blog Staff
- 1 point by our Celebrity Judge, Jimmy Trania of Sports Illustrated’s great Hot Clicks… And here is Jimmy’s take!

Baretta over Parker: If this matchup took place on the hardwood, it would have a different outcome, but off the court, it’s not competition.

Bracket 1: Girls With Balls (soccer, billiards, softball, golf, basketball, handball, volleyball)

- #1 Heather Mitts vs. #8 Tapai Szabina (exclusive interview and pics!)
- #2 Jennfifer Barretta vs. #7 Candice Parker (exclusive interview!)
- #3 Jennie Finch vs. #6 Kim Glass
- #4 Natalie Gulbis vs. #5 Amy Taylor

Remember to check back daily – new brackets are unveiled each day:
- Girls with Balls (Tuesday, October 20)
- Tennis Vixens (Wednesday, October 21)
- Girls on Tracks (Thursday, October 22)
- Wild(card) Girls (Friday, October 23)
- Girls Who Can Kick Your Ass (Monday, October 26)
- Girls Who Are Fast (Tuesday, October 27)
- Girls Who Get Wet (Wednesday, October 28)
- W7 Girls (Thursday, October 29)