FACES IN THE CROWD

Kris LaPoint, a senior at California's Castro Valley High, shortened the towline to 40 feet and hit 36 mph for a slalom run past three buoys to win the California World Cup Invitational Water Ski meet at Berkeley, beating former champion Mike Suyderhoud.

Wes Lassiter, 13, of Charlotte, N.C., is the youngest winner of the annual International Blue Marlin Tournament off Hatteras, first reeling in a 200-pounder and three days later catching a 300-pound marlin to lead the way for a field of 62 other fishermen.

Regan Beers, two-year wrestling captain with Slate University College in Brockport (N.Y.), topped off his varsity career by winning the NCAA's 190-pound College Division title at Ashland, Ohio, compiling an overall record of 65 wins, four losses, two ties.

Jeff Ferree, 12, Bloomington, Ind. Junior League righthander, pitched his fifth no-hitter, not allowing a ball 10 be hit fair and striking out 18 batters in a 2-0 victory over the league-leading team. His season record is 7-1, with 120 strikeouts in 45 innings.

Kevin Burnsed, a first-grader from the Kingswood Elementary School in Brandon, Fla., ran the mile in 6:48.1, clipping 47.1 seconds off the old mark while setting a national record for 6-year-olds at a Jaycee junior track meet in Gainesville.

Ralph (Chip) Whipple Jr., 15, from Manhasset, L.I., skippered his 13½-foot Blue Jay to two firsts and a third in three days of racing, winning the Commodore's Trophy for the best record by a junior skipper (under 18) at Larchmont Race Week.

SIX PHOTOS