May 20, 2009

DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis track and field teams successfully defended their title in the category of group performance for the second straight year, while freshman football player Joseph Gray captured first place among the individual or duo acts to highlight the third-annual Aggie Idol talent showcase at Freeborn Hall Wednesday evening. The event was organized by the UC Davis Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

All proceeds from Aggie Idol, an homage to the Fox television show American Idol, benefits the charity Invisible Children, Inc. A total of 301 tickets were sold during the weeks prior to the event, and an official attendance of 492 was on hand to view the variety of music, dance and comedy acts.

Invisible Children, Inc., a non-profit organization based on the documentary film of the same name, seeks to aid the children in northern Uganda, many of whom are kidnapped and forced to serve as child soldiers in that country's civil war. Previous years' charities, as selected by the SAAC officers, have been Heifer International and Special Olympics Northern California.

The two track and field teams performed a dance routine titled "Love Story", combining elements of jazz, R&B, hip-hop, tap and other music and dance disciplines. The act featured 33 members of the track and field program, with high jumper Ben Nelson and hurdler Katie Maltester serving as central figures in the story. Gray, a wide receiver for the Aggie football team, performed a self-composed piano piece entitled "Relaxation" for his winning entry.

"I thought the SAAC officers did a wonderful job coordinating and hosting the show," said Michelle Roppeau, the director of athletic academic advising. "We had 124 student-athletes from 15 different teams. It's really a way for all the student-athletes to bond with each other, plus we put on a great show for the public."

Like Roppeau, SAAC officer and women's volleyball player Avreeta Singh was also pleased with the overall event. She was first made aware of Invisible Children as a freshman at UC Davis, then later contacted the president of the UC Davis chapter of the organization to become involved with the Aggie Idol event.

"There is a war going on in Northern Uganda, and we as college students don't really hear much about it," Singh said. "We have a lot of power to make a difference. Through events like this, we can raise a lot of money and awareness."

Head football coach Bob Biggs, senior associate athletics director Nona Richardson and associate athletics director Bob Bullis served as the panel of judges for the talent show. The contest awarded top three places for each of the group and individual/duo categories.

Finishing second to the track and field teams were The Bench Warmers, a trio comprising baseball players Tony Bongiovanni, Jeremy McChesney and Joe Medeiros, who performed their take of the Jason Mraz hit "I'm Yours." Third place went to David Buscho, Federico Martinez and Arran Rogerson, who collectively formed the rock threesome Life on Mars.

Gray edged senior gymnast and previous winner Kayla Koch, who teamed up with David Ronconi for a rendition of Colbie Caillat's "Realize", while sophomore wrestler/acoustic guitarist Abe Otrambo placed third with a solo performance of "Chicken Fried", originally by the Zac Brown Band.

Perhaps the most unusual act belonged to the Aggie women's lacrosse team, which created an act called "Peace Love Lax." The lacrosse players employed a mix of movement, strategically colored props and an ultraviolet light on a darkened stage, resulting in a spectacle that reminded the judges of the famed outfit Blue Man Group.

The outgoing and incoming SAAC officers served as emcees for the event they helped coordinate. The 2008-09 officers, Kelsey Fischer (golf), Grant Hirnese (baseball) and Singh, took the opportunity to welcome 2009-10 officers Britt Farquharson (lacrosse), Jon Peterson (track and field), Matt Council (track and field) and Russ Underwood (swimming). Singh, currently a junior, will also serve one more year as an officer.

For more information on Invisible Children, Inc., visit www.invisiblechildren.com.