Trojan Candy went with her husband Jim to Marks Stadium for the rivalry men's tennis match between our USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins.
Here are the Trojan Doubles Teams.
Brandon and Riley's Doubles match was suspended with the Trojans ahead 5-4.
Now, USC was ahead 1-0 over the Bruins.
My husband Jim and I walked outside of the Marks Stadium to get in a long line to get a free In-N-Out Burger. As we were waiting, Trojan Candy started talking with three young ladies who were standing in the line right in front of us. Then I found out that they were Women of Troy swimmers Katie Christy, Victoria Toris and Tamara Santoyo. I pulled out a notebook from my purse and started to interview them one at a time.
Trojan Candy interviewed Katie Christy first. Katie swims the middle distances and the 400 I.M. She is a Senior majoring in Sports Journalism. Katie's favorite food is Russian "Progles (did she mean Pringles?)." She loves Country and EDM music (Electronic dance music). As for hobbies, Katie likes to spend time with her dog, play her guitar and do photography. (Another Trojan after my own heart!) FIGHT ON, Katie!
The second USC swimmer was Victoria Toris. She sprints and swims the free style. Victoria is majoring in Urban Studies and Planning and Architecture. Her favorite food is French fries. As for music, Victoria likes Pop and Hip Hop music the best. She likes to color for a hobby. FIGHT ON, Victoria!
Trojan Candy had to hurry with my last interview, because we were almost reaching the front of the In-N-Out line. Tamara Santoyo swims the Butterfly. She is majoring in Urban Studies and Planning. Tamara's hobby is listening to music. She doesn't like Country music but likes a "little bit" of everything else. Tacos with no beans are Tamara's favorite food. FIGHT ON, Tamara!
All five of us got our hamburgers and drinks and walked back inside the stadium. By now, our matches were all in the second sets. Trojan Candy ate quickly and walked to Court 6.
After the match, Trojan Candy saw an "old" good friend. First, Ray Sarmiento (3/11/2017) celebrated the victory on the court with his fellow Trojans. Then he waited just outside the entry gate to visit with fellow teammates. Trojan Candy went over to visit with Ray. He said that he has just begun training again following his hip surgery. Ray said that he will be back on the tour in April. Ray's friend Monica, who is currently in the USC Law School, posed with Ray for my picture. Keep FIGHTNG ON, Ray!
FIGHT ON, USC Men's Tennis!
Trojan Candy always likes to come to the Beach Volleyball Kickoff. Again it was held at The Lab Gastropub next to Galen Center. It is so much fun to meet incoming freshman players and visit with other players, alumnae, staff and friends. Friend Junior Joy Dennis introduced me to three new freshman players. Trojan Candy interviewed them and took their pictures one by one. Thanks, Joy!
Laurel Kujan was first. She is from Santa Barbara and is majoring in Communication and minoring in Design. Laurel started playing Beach Volleyball when she was in the eighth grade. Her favorite food is pasta and sushi. Laurel's hobbies are paddle boarding and hiking. Her favorite movie is "Forest Gump." Laurel likes classic rock music and Frank Ocean is her favorite artist. FIGHT ON, Laurel!
Karina Myszkowski, who is from Manhattan Beach, is majoring in Communication and minoring in Marketing. She started playing Beach Volleyball when she was a sophomore in high school. Karina's favorite food is chipotle. Her hobby is photography. In connection with her hobby, Karina is a part time model. Her favorite movie is "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." For music, Karina likes Top 40 pop songs the best. FIGHT ON, Karina!
The third freshman that Joy introduced me to was Hannah Martin. Hannah, who is from Solana Beach, California, is majoring in Psychology. Hannah's favorite food is sushi. For hobbies, Hannah likes to surf, hike and swim. She also has played the piano since she was ten years old. Hannah plays "everyday" songs, plays the ukulele and sings. Her favorite music artist is Jack Johnson, who, she told Trojan Candy, is similar to The Beach Boys. In fact, the first concert that Hannah went to was a Beach Boy concert. Hannah's favorite movie is a 2007 British-American jukebox musical romantic drama named "Across the Universe." FIGHT ON, Hannah!
Now it was time to eat and socialize. Trojan Candy took this picture of four friends---Stefanie Miller, Anita Ybarra, Donna Heinel and Karen Trust---with my sister Patti Poon.
Nearby, Trojan Candy saw a familiar face. I went over to talk to her. She was Falyn Fonoimoana (7/22/2010) who came to the Beach Volleyball Kickoff last year. Falyn is a USC Volleyball alumna who played indoor volleyball at USC in 2010-2012. Trojan Candy actually interviewed her in Heritage Hall when she was a freshman. Then, she played on the USA National Team. In 2017 Falyn started playing Beach Volleyball with fellow USC alumna Alexa Strange as her partner. I decided to catch up with her. Falyn has a six year old son now. Her favorite food is Mexican food. Falyn's hobbies now are playing Beach Volleyball and being with her family. As for her favorite music, Falyn likes hip hop and R&B the best. Her favorite movie is Marvel's "Dr. Strange." FIGHT ON, Falyn! Now, Trojan Candy has another friend to see every year at the Beach Volleyball Kickoff.
Trojan Candy saw a familiar face. It was Peter Kurzeka (1/29/2010) whom I interviewed at Heritage Hall. He was a Driver on four National Championship Water Polo Teams from 2008-2011. Then I saw Kirby Burnham (5/6/2013)! Kirby told me that she and Peter got married and now they have this beautiful baby! Congratulations, Kirby and Peter!
Then, Coach Anna introduced her Assistant Coaches Eric Fonoimoana (Falyn's uncle) and Gustavo Rocha in this video.
The BVB Kick-Off ended with fund-raiser ticket drawings. Unfortunately, Trojan Candy didn't win anything. There's always next year!
FIGHT ON, 2019 USC Beach Volleyball Team!
Trojan Candy attended the Women of Troy basketball game vs the California Bears at the Galen Center.
The Spirit of Troy finished by playing our Alma Mater.
Trojan Candy could not go to the USC Football Recruiting Celebration this year, because my husband Jim and I had to go up north to help my Trojan daughter with the grandkids.
Luckily, my good friend and USC photographer Pierson Clair photographed the affair. He gave me permission to use his pictures in my blog article. Pierson's website is at www.pc4photo.com. Thank you so much, Pierson!
Fight On, USC Spring Football!