 Hitchens taught Gafner about how to train properly and this was very helpful for Gafner and it showed in her competition.Gafner placed 1st in the light weight division at the 1988 USA Championships and 2nd on the 1989 NPC Nationals.She later decided to enter the middle weight class and placed 1st at the NPC Nationals, earning her Pro card in only a three-year period.