Maggi Caruther’s modeling career is far from over.

It was a tough secret to keep for Maggi Caruthers; the Wichita native earned a shot at the big time, a spot in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Last week she found out the results but couldn’t tell anyone until the official results were announced.

“I was a little disappointed, but I was kind of preparing myself for it,” says Caruthers.

It was a second place finish, not the picture-perfect ending Maggi was hoping for. But still an experience she won’t soon forget. She lived the VIP life many only imagine.

She got to go to the Super Bowl and even earned an invite to the pre-bowl parties. Caruthers says she got to meet a lot of the models in the swimsuit issues. LL Cool J was the host of the party and his crew was there.

But the party isn’t over and don’t count Maggi out just yet. The contest could just be the cover page.

The experience and exposure opened her up to a whole new world and earned her a contract with a New York modeling agency.

So if you’re ever at a fashion show or skimming through a magazine, don’t be surprised if you see Caruthers strolling by or staring back.

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition comes out this week and Maggi won’t know until then if any of her shots made it in the final issue. But she admits this contest is giving her a shot she never imagined would be possible.