More pictures are included in MY Google+ ALBUM.
Trojan Candy went to the 2014 Men's and Women's Water Polo banquet to meet as many men and women water polo players as possible. When I volunteered at Heritage Hall, a few water polo players would come into the lobby. The banquet was a fabulous way to meet new friends and possibly interview them.
As soon as I entered the Galen Center's Founder Room, I got to work. With camera in hand, Trojan Candy walked up to groups of Women of Troy water polo players and asked if I could take their pictures. The young ladies obliged!
Trojan Candy met Eike's parents Bodo and Sabine.
Then, Trojan Candy saw friend Mace Rapsey (4/8/2011)! Mace came by the Heritage Hall desk several times to visit. I interviewed him when he was a Freshman. Now, Mace is a Senior with four NCAA Championships! He told me that he will be staying in Los Angeles after graduation working as an intern in Real Estate Finance. Then he introduced yours truly to his girlfriend Kally Lucas. Kally is also a USC NCAA Champion in water polo, just like Mace. She won the 2010 NCAA Championship! FIGHT ON, Mace! FIGHT ON, Kally!
As I walked around, Trojan Candy took a picture of two men's Water Polo assistant coaches. Coaches Marko Pintaric and Casey Moon (9/3/2009) posed for this picture.
I was able to get Head Coach Jovan Vavic talking with Senior Associate Athletic Director Steve Lopes and Head Assistant Coach Marko Pintaric.
Now, it was time to take pictures of men water polo players.
Now, Trojan Candy was really "on the hunt!" I was determined to find Senior Tommy Van and red-shirt Junior Rex Butler. WHY? Tommy is assigned to my sister Pat and brother-in-law Dudley's locker in the Uytengsu Swim Center. Rex Butler is using the locker donated by my husband Jim and me.
I found Tommy first. After taking his picture with Pat and Dudley, it was interview time. Tommy is majoring in International Relations. He is from San Jose. Tommy actually graduated in December 2013. He told us that he already has a job in Business Consulting at Oracle in Northern California. Another outstanding Trojan! For fun, Tommy said that he likes to surf a lot, especially in Santa Cruz. FIGHT ON, Tommy!
Now, Trojan Candy had to find her locker inhabitant. Tommy told me that Rex was wearing a bow tie. So, I walked among the men team members looking for a bow tie. I ran into Mace again, asking him if he knew where Rex is. Mace told me that Rex is his roommate and when he sees him, he would tell Rex to come to see me. Thanks, Mace! Then I saw a team member wearing a bow tie across the room. I walked over to him and asked, "Are you Rex?" No, he wasn't, but he pointed to the "real" Rex. Trojan Candy walked over to, hopefully, Rex. When I got to him, I saw the bow tie first. I asked him, "Are you Rex Butler?" He answered, "Yes." I finally found him! After telling Rex that he is our locker tenant, I asked if I could take his picture and interview him. Luckily, he said, "Okay." A fellow player offered to take a picture of Rex and yours truly. In the first picture, a team member "photo bombed" our picture. The second picture was better.
Rex, who is from San Diego, played water polo at Coronado High School. He majored in Human Performance and will graduate this year. However, Rex has one more year of eligibility left, so he will play water polo next year. Rex's favorite book is How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy! by Paul Chek. He likes David Bazan's alternative music. As for a hobby, Rex said that he loves to nap! FIGHT ON, Rex!
Standing nearby were ten teammates of Rex. Trojan Candy snapped this picture and am guessing their names. Luke Felton, Andrew Silvers, Shaun Robinson, Jack Ryner, Peter Simon, Nick Bell, Tommy Van, Mitch Embry, Joe Nelson, and Chase Borisoff. FIGHT ON, Men's Water Polo!
The buffet dinner was served next. We sat with Marc Vonderweidt's parents Laura and Laurent. Laura told me that Marc will be a Senior next year. He is majoring in Public Policy and Development and hopes to get into Real Estate after he graduates. The Vonderweidts are a Trojan Family. Marc's grandfather is a USC alumnus and is a dentist. His uncle also attended USC and is a doctor in Las Vegas. Another Trojan Family! Since the program was starting, I promised Laura that I would take their picture later.
Coach John Williams started the program and Steve Lopes also spoke.
Coach Vavic presented trophies to both teams:
Now, it was time for the presentation of the NCAA National Championship Women Water Polo rings. Coach Vavic awarded one to each team member.
