April 2013 (2) Candygrams

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Saturday, April 27, 2013---Men and Women of Troy versus UCLA Track Meet

It was a HOT, sunny day in the Loker Track Stadium. The stands filled up quickly with USC track athlete's parents, families and friends, fellow USC athletes, USC alumni, track fans and some UCLA fans.

Several Field events were already underway when I entered the stadium around 11:00 a.m. Trojan Candy immediately started taking...pictures! As I walked from one end of the track stadium to the other looking for the "perfect" shot, I saw many USC athletes that I have met in Heritage Hall.

The first friend was Marqise Lee. He told me that he was at Robert Wood's home when Robert was drafted by the Buffalo Bills. FIGHT ON, Robert! Trojan Candy thought to herself, "It will be your turn soon enough, Marqise!" Marqise then went to warm up for his event, the Long Jump.

Marqise Lee
Marqise Lee
Spirit of Troy
A few minutes after Marqise left, the Spirit of Troy marched into the stadium. They played the Star Spangled Banner. The USC-UCLA Track Meet was officially started.

As the Field events were in progress, I saw more athletic friends who came to support their track friends. Here are pictures of

Kenny Bigelow, ?, Antwaun Woods and Kemi Olonade
Kenny Bigelow, ?, Antwaun Woods and Kemi Olonade (10/28/2011)
Anthony Sarao and Buck Allen
Anthony Sarao and Buck Allen
Kiki Alofaituli and Deanna Calhoun
Kiki Alofaituli and Deanna Calhoun
Xavier Grimble
Xavier Grimble
Demetrius Wright and Silas Redd
Demetrius Wright and Silas Redd. Trojan Candy asked Silas about his recovery. He smiled and said, "It's okay."
Aleec Harris
It was so nice to visit with friends, but there was a track meet going on! Our men and women are strong in the sprints. Trojan redshirt Junior Aleec Harris (in lane 4) won the 110m Hurdles. FIGHT ON, Aleec!
Bryshon Nellum
Friend Bryshon Nellum (4/8/2010) won his specialty event, the 400m dash in 46.26 seconds. He also won the 200m dash in 20.37 seconds. That was the fastest collegiate time in the nation this year! FIGHT ON, Bryshon!
Women 100m dash
Our Women of Troy competed in the 100m dash. Coco Ndipagbor finished second in lane 2. Unfortunately, friend Jessica Davis (in lane 4) couldn't finish the race.
Aaron Brown
Friend Aaron Brown (9/8/2011) won the 100m dash in 10.24. FIGHT ON, Aaron! New Mexico Sophomore transfer Bee Jay Lee finished second behind Aaron in 10.25! So glad that you're a Trojan now and FIGHT ON, Bee Jay!
Farren Benjamin
As I finally sat in the stands for a little rest, friend Senior Farren Benjamin (8/20/2009) walked up the steps to say "Hello." Farren competed in the Hammer Throw. FIGHT ON, Farren!
Reggie Wyatt
Back on the track, friend Reggie Wyatt (12/9/2011) won the 400m Hurdles. FIGHT ON, Reggie!
CoCo Ndipagbor,  Vanessa Jones, Malea Malik, and Ashley Liverpool
In the final race of the day for the Women of Troy, the 4x400m Relay, CoCo Ndipagbor (7/14/2011), Vanessa Jones (9/8/2011), Malea Malik (1/21/2011), and Ashley Liverpool (10/25/2011) beat the Bruins. FIGHT ON, Coco! FIGHT ON, Vanessa! FIGHT ON, Malea! FIGHT ON, Ashley!
Hayes Pullard
Trojan Candy saw more friends as the meet was finishing. I got to visit with Hayes Pullard.
Davonte Stewart
Jennifer Stutland and Caroline Lutzky
Dave Selma
Allen Williams and CoCo Ndipagbor
Allen Williams (8/19/2011) and CoCo Ndipagbor
Jessica Davis
Bryshon Nellum
Bryshon Nellum
Kemi Olonade, Loudia Laarman and Ashley Liverpool
Kemi Olonade, Loudia Laarman (3/4/2011), and Ashley Liverpool
Candace Bailey and Katherine Chang
Candace Bailey and Katherine Chang (1/14/2011)

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALMOST 80 MORE PICTURES of the USC vs UCLA Men's and Women's Track Meet.

Unfortunately, our men and women did not beat the Bruins this year. There is always next year!

FIGHT ON, USC Men's Track! FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Track!

Thursday, April 25, 2013---Women of Troy Basketball Banquet

Trojan Candy always enjoys attending the Women's Basketball Banquet every year. My first Women of Troy Basketball Banquet was in the spring of 1984. Then, all the women's sports had only one combined banquet. It was in Town and Gown. The Women of Troy Basketball Team was quite joyous that night. At some times, even raucous! Why not? They had just won USC's first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship!

Tonight's banquet was different. The Founder's Room was strictly for the Women of Troy Basketball Team. All the current team members came dressed up in high, high heels. There was a team video, Senior Salute and a new coach. Twenty-nine years makes a difference!

Trophies
Trojan Candy walked around taking pictures. First, the trophies. The engraving on the glistening trophies was covered up so as to not reveal the winners. More about the winners later.
Tonya and Brianna Barrett
Tonya and Brianna Barrett
Brianna and Tonya Barrett with Jordan Adams
Brianna and Tonya Barrett with Jordan Adams
Mariah and Ariya Crook
Mariah and Ariya Crook
Desiree' Bradley, Kate Oliver, Kiki Alofaituli, Rachel Totten, and Cassie Harberts
Desiree' Bradley, Kate Oliver, Kiki Alofaituli, Rachel Totten, and Cassie Harberts
Destinie Gibbs and Thaddesia Southall
Destinie Gibbs and Thaddesia Southall (2/3/2012)
Deanna Calhoun and Rachel Totten
Deanna Calhoun and Rachel Totten
Alexyz Vaioletama and Brianna Barrett
Brianna Barrett with Alexyz Vaioletama in her cart. Alexyz had just had surgery. Get well soon, Alexyz!
Patricia and Kiki Alofaituli
Kiki Alofaituli with her mother Patricia

In back are Jordan Adams, Alexyz Vaioletama, Thaddesia Southall, Kate Oliver, Christina Marinacci, Kiki Alofaituli, Cassie Harberts, Desiree' Bradley, and Deanna Calhoun. In front are Ariya Crook, Destinie Gibbs, and Brianna Barrett.Deanna Calhoun, Destinie Gibbs, Rachel Totten, Christina Marinacci, Kiki Alofaituli, Cassie Harberts, and Desiree' BradleyThe only Senior, Christina Marinacci, came in to the Founder's Hall later than all of her other teammates. She mingled with her friends. I was able to take her picture with some of her teammates and then with the entire team, except for Rachel. Sorry, Rachel! What lovely young ladies! After the team picture, Trojan Candy was able to talk with Christina. She told me that she was just chosen to be an intern for the Pac-12 this summer. Congratulations, Christina! You will be great in front of or behind the camera! After her internship, Christina said she will go overseas in September to play basketball. FIGHT ON, Christina!

Mike, Christina, and Toni Marinacci
It was so nice to see Christina's parents, Mike and Toni Marinacci, again.

While everyone was making it to their seats for dinner to be served, Trojan Candy was able to meet Gueston Smith, who came with Kiki Alofartuli. Gueston is an Architecture student at USC. FIGHT ON, Gueston!

Kiki Alofaituli and Gueston Smith
Kiki Alofaituli with Gueston Smith
Christina Marinacci
After dinner, Christina Marinacci came to the podium and delivered her "Senior Farewell Speech."

She gave a poignant speech about her four memorable years at USC. Please CLICK HERE TO SEE AND HEAR CHRISTINA'S "SENIOR FAREWELL SPEECH."

Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
New coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke spoke to the team and audience for a few minutes.

Remember those glistening trophies? We finally got to the presentation. Donna Heinel announced the winners of the trophies. They are as follows:

Angie Williams and Ariya Crook
Most Improved Ariya Crook with her mother Angie Williams
Brianna Barrett
Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year Brianna Barrett
Heart of a Trojan Christina Marinacci and Team M.V.P. Cassie Harberts with Donna Heinel

Donna also announced that Cassie had just been invited to try out for the USA National Team. Good Luck, Cassie!

What an enjoyable, memorable evening.

FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Basketball!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013---Cynthia Cooper-Dyke's Press Conference

Trojan Candy was lucky to be invited to the Women of Troy Basketball Press Conference that announced its new coach, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke.

Donna Heinel, Pat Haden and Coach Cooper-DykeHer Press Conference was very different from new Men's Basketball Coach Andy Enfield's. There were fewer reporters and only one video cameraman. However, there were many Women of Troy Basketball Alumnae who came to support Coach Cooper-Dyke. The current Women of Troy Basketball Team also came to show its support. And, there was lots of reception food afterwards. Mmmm!

The press conference began when Donna Heinel, Pat Haden and Coach Cooper-Dyke walked onto the stage. Pat introduced Coach Cooper-Dyke, and then she candidly addressed the audience. CLICK HERE TO SEE MY VIDEO of her talk. What a personality!

After the addresses, Trojan Candy took pictures of Coach Cooper-Dyke, her former USC teammates, Jim Hill, and other basketball alumnae.

Yolanda Fletcher, Juliette Robinson, Jamaiia Bond, and Pam McGee
Yolanda Fletcher, Juliette Robinson, Jamaiia Bond, and Pam McGee
LeeAnne Sera, Jamaiia Bond, Rhonda Windham, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Pam McGee, Liz Berner, D'yann Crosby, and Juliette Robinson
LeeAnne Sera, Jamaiia Bond, Rhonda Windham, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Pam McGee, Liz Berner, D'yann Crosby, and Juliette Robinson
Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Pam McGee, and Jim Hill
Jim Hill interviewing Cynthia Cooper-Dyke and Pam McGee.
Juliette Robinson, Jim Hill, Liz Berner, and Pam McGee
Juliette Robinson, Jim Hill, Liz Berner, and Pam McGee
D'yann Crosby, Liz Berner, and Tammy Story
D'yann Crosby, Liz Berner, and Tammy Story
Deanna Calhoun, Desiree' Bradley, Thaddesia Southall, Brianna Barrett, Destinie Gibbs, Ariya Crook, Cassie Harberts, Rachel Totten, Jordan Adams, Alexyz Vaioletama, and Kiki Alofaituli
Then, I took pictures of her current team. (Back row) Deanna Calhoun, Desiree' Bradley, Thaddesia Southall (2/3/2012), Brianna Barrett, Ariya Crook, Cassie Harberts, Jordan Adams, and Kiki Alofaituli. (Front row) Destinie Gibbs, Rachel Totten, and Alexyz Vaioletama.
Cassie Harberts, Darcy Couch, and Kate Oliver
Cassie Harberts, Darcy Couch, and Kate Oliver

Trojan Candy enjoyed all the excitement and definitely the food. The Women of Troy sure know how to PARTY!!

FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Basketball!