Student named Mr. USU 2006 and Mr. Congenialty
Ten brave, somewhat talented and completely insane men performed in an array of on-stage events Wednesday night in hopes of becoming Mr. USU 2006.
From mermaids and scuba divers to Richard Simons look-alikes and songwriters, the contestants vying for the title performed for a nearly packed house in the Kent Concert Hall in an attempt to wear the coveted Mr. USU belt buckle for the next year.
Christian Brinton was chosen by a panel of judges as Mr. USU, and also also took the award for Mr. Congeniality, which was voted on by the contestants.
“I was really excited to win the buckle,” Brinton said. “I have been preparing since the second week in the semester, after some friends talked me into it.”
Brinton said he and his supporters put a lot of thought into the various categories because winning was the ultimate goal, but he said meeting new friends and having fun was the best part.
The mock beauty pageant has become a part of Homecoming Week tradition. The event is known for attracting hundreds of spectators.
“I was told it was a good laugh and a good time, so I came to see,” said junior agriculture business student Stan Rose. “I am glad I came, I don’t remember when I have ever laughed that hard.”
Zach Ames, Mr. USU 2005, was master of ceremonies and was accompanied by his friend, Emily Mueller.
The theme for this year’s contest was “mission impossible,” but the contestants showed that just when the audience thought they had seen it all, they were proven wrong. Spectator and international business student Jeremy Catron said he has been to the contest before, but had never seen anything so bizarre.
“I love doing crazy stuff,” said contestant Bryce Cranney. “It’s a way for me to revert back to my childhood days and use my creativity again.”
Cranny was awarded the prize for best swimsuit after friends carried him on-stage in a sequined mermaid costume. Cranny also said he may have trouble finding a date on the campus after his talent number titled “Utah Girls,” which made fun of what he saw as the stereotypical Utah female.
The men competed in categories of swimwear, talent, evening wear and on-stage question. In the talent portion, several contestants sang songs that they had composed just for the contest and several of the men danced their hearts out. The winner of the talent category was Kevin Fulcher, who demonstrated his skiing ability by showing a video of himself on the slopes. He then confirmed his skills by doing stunts on a trampoline while wearing skis.
Perhaps the most entertaining part of the evening was a final dance performed on treadmills by Ames, Mueller and their friends Jacob Roskelley and Staci Meacham. The group received a standing ovation for the production, which replicated the popular music video by the band OK GO, “Here it goes again.” The dance was performed on eight treadmills that were provided by Icon Health and Fitness.
From beginning to end, the Mr. USU production had audience members on the edge of their seats. As students filed out of Kent Concert Hall, many said they were anxious yet nervous to see what next year’s contestants will come up with. Until then, Brinton says he will proudly wear the trophy belt buckle that was sponsored by S.E. Needham Jewelers, as it represents what Mr. USU stands for. Perhaps in this case, the title represents the crazy and charismatic boys of USU.
-sastewart@cc.usu.edu