Mkristo Bruce's Diary: Week Four

Pullman -- AAAAANNNND IT’S ANOTHER… No, not another Cougar first down, but another defensive journal by the one and only Mkristo Bruce on Cougfan.com! Since my last entry, I have made great strides with my team. The beautiful thing about summer is after each workout you can feel your body getting better. Whether its technique or getting stronger, it just feels great. Not only has this been the case for me, but for the rest of the team as well. One player in particular, I simply must mention.

Coug fans! There is a player out practicing every day who is going to be a menace on the field this year. This guy works out two to three times a day, just wanting to be the best he can be for the upcoming season. He is in the process of a double major, and he’s an extreme scholar.

This Coug is one of the senior leaders, and a great friend to everybody on the team as well. He comes to practice every day, motivating all those around him to dedicate themselves to be the best.

This player is Omowale Dada -- you all know, the big No. 32 who blocked that key punt at New Mexico last season.

If I were you, I would keep a very big eye out for this man from the Nigerian culture. Dada’s complete name is Omowale Olugbotemi Dada, and it means “ God has brought me this child”.

The guys all really like Dada’s name because its unique, but it was unanimous that Mkristo is better! But other than that, we thank God for bringing us Omowale, or Dada, as we call him.

ON TO THE NEXT subjects! It’s hot! Classes are getting tougher! The weights are increasing! But most of all… Less than a month until camp starts and we can’t wait!!!

There are players literally drooling with anticipation over the start of camp. And there are players all of us can’t wait to see get after it -- guys like Dada, Michael Willis, Husain Abdullah, the three D’s (Will Derting, Scott Davis, Steve Dildine), the D line, etc,. There are some great men ready to compete in the crimson and gray this year.

NOW, DON’T get me wrong with this next statement because I know the Cougar Nation of Domination is defensive oriented, but I really can’t wait to see how the offensive line and Jerome Harrison, or JC as we call him, do this year. I’ve seen great leadership from guys like Norvell Holmes and Nick Mihlhauser.

JC, also known as “The Ghost”, you are a great running back and I’m glad you are on my team, but I still cant wait to hit you, buddy!

Well, Coug fans I have to study so I must fly but I promise to bring more to you next time. Until then, have fun and be safe. If you have any questions, toss them up on the message boards here on Cougfan.com and I’ll do my best to answer as many as I can.

Mkristo, No. 94

Mkristo Bruce, junior defensive end at Washington State, is one of 24 players on the preseason watch list for the 2005 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. In 2004, Bruce started all 11 games at Washington State, leading the Cougs in both sacks and tackles for loss. During his prep days at Renton's Liberty High, Bruce was an all league linebacker and quarterback. Along with wide receiver Michael Bumpus, he graciously volunteered to give CF.C readers a window unto the world of pre-season Cougar football preparation with a weekly diary.