faces in the crowd

Chris Von Saltza, 14, San Jose, Calif. free-styler, had herself a time in home town, where she became first U.S. girl to break five minutes for 440 yards (4:54.8), also set five other American swim records.

Tony De Spirito, plucky jockey who led nation's riders in 1952 and has twice been near death after spills, made his latest comeback at Hialeah, booting home Nisht Amool. His reaction: "It's just great, that's all."

Laurence Owen, perky 13-year-old daughter of nine-time U.S. Champion Maribel Vinson Owen, proved to be chip off old block, winning senior women's eastern figure skating championship at Troy, N.Y.

Velisa Mugosa, likable Yugoslav geography student who has improved in each of his five losing races on U.S. boards, finally hit jackpot at NYAC Games in New York, winning two-mile in respectable 8:59.

Renie Cox, fast-moving young Middlebury College sophomore, zipped to victory in downhill, trailed sister Mary of U. of Vermont in slalom to win skimeister honors at annual Middlebury Winter Carnival.

Dick Voris, 36, assistant to Earl Blaik at Army, ended 13-day Virginia coach hunt, signing for three-year hitch at estimated $10,000-plus per year. Voris follows Ben Martin, now at Air Force Academy.

Norm Grow, 6-foot 5-inch Foley (Minn.) H.S. center, is certain to be target of college scouts after running three-year total to 2,300 points, breaking Wilt Chamberlain's U.S. secondary-school scoring record.

SEVEN PHOTOS