Trojan Candy arrived at the Galen Center early so that I could get the best seat to take pictures. The seat is at the end of the ramp. Luckily, it was still available.
Friend and fellow photographer Ray Wong, who joined me in the lobby, pointed out Su'a Cravens who just entered the lobby with his family. Thanks, Ray! Su'a's older sister Malia, who played on the Women of Troy Basketball Team, is graduating. FIGHT ON, Su'a! FIGHT ON, Malia!
Diver Jordan Gear (11/16/2012) and track star CoCo Ndipagbor (7/14/2011) posed for this picture. FIGHT ON, Jordan! FIGHT ON, CoCo!
In the lobby I saw rowing friend Liz Turner. She was with her parents Julie and Jeff Turner. FIGHT ON, Liz!
Then, I saw my friends Janet and Jim Eddy. Their granddaughter, Elizabeth Eddy (9/8/2011) is graduating with a Master's Degree in Communication Management. Elizabeth competed in soccer as an undergraduate and lacrosse as a graduate student. FIGHT ON, Elizabeth!
Trojan Candy knew he was a football player, so I went over to take his picture. Freshman offensive tackle Jordan Austin smiled and said he came for his friend Chris Willson.
In the middle of the lobby, there were four familiar faces. They were four Rowing Seniors.
Eglit Vosu (4/6/2012), Kate Gleadow (10/25/2012), Kellyn Freire (4/30/2015) and Shelby Adair (4/30/2015). FIGHT ON, Eglit! FIGHT ON, Kate! FIGHT ON, Kellyn! FIGHT ON, Shelby!
After I left my rowing friends, I actually interrupted their conversation when I asked if I could take their picture. USC Diving Coach Hong Ping Li and Women of Troy Golf Coach Andrea Gaston politely posed for me. Then, Coach Gaston and I talked about the women's golf season. Hopefully, I asked Coach Gaston if she and friend Doris Chen could see me after the ceremony (Trojan Candy had interviewed Senior Doris in Heritage Hall when she was a freshman). She replied, "Of course!"
As I said goodby to Coach Gaston, I walked toward the Galen Center South Entrance. I passed by two Track Seniors. Bryan Mercado and Myles Andrews (1/26/2012) smiled for a picture. FIGHT ON, Bryan! FIGHT ON, Myles!
Trojan Candy was able to stop friend Alexyz Vaioletama (6/23/2011) and her dad Aaron for a picture.
After Alexyz ran off, I saw him! Good friend Ray Sarmiento (3/11/2011) came running in carrying his robe. He paused just long enough to pose for this picture. As you can see, Ray was late, but I asked about his parents. Ray said that they were parking the car and that I could see them at the reception. With that, he was off. FIGHT ON, Ray!
Next, I took this picture of Davonte Stewart (2/23/2012) with his mom Vanessa, his dad Dwayne and the rest of his family. FIGHT ON, Davonte!
Women's Basketball Senior Destinie Gibbs (9/27/2012) smiled for this pretty picture. FIGHT ON, Destinie!
Trojan Candy then saw Assistant Rowing Coach Ligita Kaviere (11/20/2009). She posed for this nice picture, and then she told me that the Rowing Team is leaving right after the Ceremony ends at 4:00 p.m. for the Pac-12 Tournament. Good Luck to our Women of Troy Rowers! FIGHT ON, Ligita!
Near the south entry door, Trojan Candy saw Senior Track star Bryan Mercado again. This time with his mom Kelly. They both happily smiled for this picture.
Now, at the Galen Center south entry doors, I looked outside and saw a very familiar face, Senior Defensive End Greg Townsend Jr.(4/26/2012)! He posed with his mom Saretta. FIGHT ON, Greg
Then, Trojan Candy peered through the Basketball/Volleyball glass doors. All the Seniors were waiting in line for their grand entrance! A nice usher let me sneak in the doors. What a gold mine! There were football friends! Trojan Candy took pictures as quickly as I could.
Now, it was almost time for the ceremony to begin, so I ran out of the Office and into the Galen Center Lobby. I ran past friend Javorius "Buck" Allen (9/16/2011), skidded to a stop, and got this picture of him also hurrying in. FIGHT ON, Buck!
Our Men's and Women's Tennis Teams were hosts for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament at the Marks Tennis Stadium.
Here is a gallery of pictures of the four matches that they played in.
It is on to Baylor!
FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Tennis!