'Tex' message: Erika Arriaran
Periodically during the off-season, the returning Longhorns basketball players will keep everyone up-to-date on their off-court activities, training and workout, summer academic work and general thoughts as they get ready to take to the court next fall. Today, sophomore shooting guard Erika Arriaran, an All-Big 12 Freshman, talks about her summer, training and her new freshmen teammates. Hey, everyone! For those of you who know me well, I am taking a break from my cell phone and text messaging to do this! I love text messaging! In fact, there are some people that I've gotten to know really well through text messaging - people I've played against, fans and family members of my teammates from high school. Really, I don't know what their voices sound like anymore! I never talk to them on the phone, but I've known them for years through text messages. This summer, I spent my only free time (between summer school sessions) in Cali (California) at home. I went to Newport Beach every day! I also went to "La-La Land" for one day to go shopping. L.A. is just one hour away. Newport Beach is a half hour from my house. I got to spend time with my sister, Samantha, who will be going to OU next year (!!!) as a volleyball setter. Now, it's all fun and jokes between the two of us about Texas and OU. She is already having our only little niece Lexi, who is 2, make the "Hook 'Em" sign the way the Sooners do it (horns down) - and has a photo of her doing it on her bedroom door! Don't worry - I will counter that by making sure Lexi sports around in her Texas attire when she watches our games on TV ... I tell Samantha that, OK, go ahead and make that sign, but Lexi looks like a a "Texas girl" - all dressed up and all cute! On the court this summer, I am trying to be a leader and voice my opinion more and help in our pickup games. I really love the freshmen - they all are really nice kids. They seem really relaxed and going with the flow. We have not had any problems. They will all fit in and we all get along. (Kristin) Nash is my summer roommate, and she is the best roommate in life - I swear - I love her! She just makes me laugh all day long. Nash always wakes me up in morning because I don't hear my alarm clock. Thank you, Nash! She also is a animal lover, and always wants to bring into our room the stray cats she sees around campus ... I will not allow it! She wanted to put one of the cats in this bird cage she has - but I said ABSOLUTELY not - it is NOT happening! This summer session, I am studying Physical Science II. It is hard - five days a week, two hours each day with a lecture and lab. Every day after class, we run and grab lunch for about 20 minutes - from 12 to 12:20. Then, it's study hall and tutors until 2 p.m., followed by practice and workouts at 3. We also play night pickup ball on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and on Wednesday, we get a break and get massages during that time! We condition every day - Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in the afternoon. Every Friday, we condition at 6:30 a.m. - before classes! Why? Because the strength coaches want us to have the rest of the day off to have fun after classes and study hall. I'll also go to Cooley Pavilion and shoot on my own on the weekends. Right now, I am working on speed, strength, communicating a lot more ... Pushing the ball .. And, oh yeah, my defense! Our strength coaches Todd (Wright) and Chris (Braden) have me working out separately from my teammates ... because I talk too much (!!)... No, truthfully, it is because they are trying to get me quicker so I can keep up with my teammates. We all are working on individual things this summer. For instance- when they are on the bikes, I am on the treadmill, sprinting. I also do extra stretches and things to loosen my body. And it has helped a lot already. That's all for now... Check back later for more of my teammates' thoughts ... Get ready for a fun season, everyone! Hook 'Em!
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