All hyped up

Photos by KEITH ENRIQUEZ/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Women’s
cross country senior Christina Bowen waits as a
light meter reading is taken before her shoot.

By Pauline Vu
Daily Bruin Senior Staff Before he’s even heard the full
explanation, men’s soccer senior Shaun Tsakiris looks
skeptical. “Is this gonna be cheesy?” he asks. The
inspiration ““ that dramatic scene in movies just before the
big event where a group of people walk toward the camera (in slow
motion, of course). The assignment ““ to head toward the
camera with an intense look in your eyes. To lift your shoulders
with a cocky air. To walk like you’re the baddest cat around.
Think Maurice Greene. Did he seriously ask if this was gonna be
cheesy? The statements have already been made. Men’s soccer
upset defending national champions Indiana for the top ranking.
Women’s soccer upset No. 10 Florida to vault themselves into
the top 10. And football not only opened the season with a 35-24
smacking of then-No. 3 Alabama, they followed it up with a 23-20
edging of then-No. 3 Michigan. So far, this year’s Bruins are
living up to the hype. “Our coach always says,
“˜Remember you’re wearing UCLA,’ “
women’s cross country runner Christina Bowen said.
“Running’s so mental. When you think you’re
great, you are, and it helps to wear UCLA.” Of course, this
fact doesn’t make walking the walk ““ literally ““
any less cheesy. “Is this optional?” Tsakiris asks
hopefully. No more than the hype is.

Senior Scott Abbott of men’s cross country finds it hard
to walk in a cocky manner without laughing. Men’s water polo
senior Adam Wright questions how he’s supposed to look tough
wearing only Speedos and coach Adam Krikorian’s sunglasses.
Women’s volleyball junior Kristee Porter casually fields
questions from a reporter on her cell phone. Men’s soccer
senior Shaun Tsakiris demonstrates his off-the-field soccer skills
with poise.