contenders, wannabes, candidates, aspirants, finalists, challengers, contestants, newcomers, nominees, entrants, starlets, applicants, rans, youngsters, winners, tyros, heavyweights, pretenders, newbies, audition, rivals, vie, stars, thespians, rookies, neophytes, superstars, runners, frontrunner, comers, celebs, bigwigs, invitees, possibles, contests, hotshots, lovelies, debaters, singers, amateurs, bes, finishers, suitors, collegians, regulars, novices, qualifiers, greenhorns, beauties, dreamers, pros, notables, skaters, competitors, preps, prodigies, prizefighters, performers, impersonators, debutantes, longshot, pipsqueaks, upstarts, opponents, listers, proteges, questioners, ers, pugilists, boxers, recruits, competitions, champions, nobodies, electioneers, lightweights, players, luminaries, victors, divas, olds, posers, keeners, olympians, lookalikes, nominations, homestretch, somethings, oglers, schoolboys, understudies, revelers, supporters, entries, resumes, winnowing, prospects, athletes, celebrities, participants, races, worthies, staffers, interns, aspirant, officeholders, freshmen, appointees, editors, graduates, academicians, apprentices, cadets

hopeful