Faces in the Crowd

Kevin Nee, HOPEDALE, MASS.
Strongman Competition
Kevin, 17, who stands 6'2" and weighs 200 pounds, won the teenage
heavyweight division of the amateur strongman nationals. He
finished first in each of the competition's events: Tire Flip,
One-armed Dumbbell Lift, Atlas Stones, Farmers Walk, and Carry
and Drag.

Decelia Willacy, BURTONSVILLE, MD.
Gymnastics
Decelia, a Springbrook High junior, was named 2002 National High
School Gymnast of the Year in all-around, bars and balance beam
by the National High School Gymnastics Coaches Association. She
also won the all-around state title; her sister Sondra finished
third.

Mike Pantalione, PRESCOTT, ARIZ.
Soccer
Pantalione, 49, coach of Yavapai College, led the Roughriders to
the national junior college championship, winning his 300th
career game in the semifinals. It is Pantalione's fourth junior
college title with Yavapai; his career record is 301-22-9.

Taryn Howard, LITTLETON, N.H.
Field Hockey
Howard, a senior attack at Skidmore College, led Division III
with 30 goals and set a postseason single-game division record
with five goals in a quarterfinal win against Wellesley. She also
set school records for goals in a career (76) and a season.

Andrew Blakley, ST. JOSEPH, MO.
Football
Blakley, a senior wide receiver at Truman State, had 300 career
receptions, second alltime in Division II and sixth best among
all divisions. He caught a pass in each of the 44 games he played
and set a conference record for career receiving yards with
3,458.

Sarah Yuskewich, COLUMBUS, OHIO
Volleyball
Yuskewich, a sophomore setter at Wittenberg, set a Division III
record for assists in a season (2,125). The Tigers reached the
national quarterfinals for the first time, and Yuskewich was
named conference player of the year.

Mikhaila Rutherford, ALAMEDA, CALIF.
Swimming
Mikhaila, 14, set a world record of 1:14.13 in the 100-meter
backstroke for people with class S10 (mild) disabilities.
Mikhaila, an adoptee whose birth mother lived near Chernobyl,
Ukraine, was born missing her right leg below the knee.

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COLOR PHOTO: DAVID HILTON

COLOR PHOTO: DAVID DOYLE

COLOR PHOTO: COURTESY OF YAVAPI COLLEGE

COLOR PHOTO: ANDY CAMP/SKIDMORE COLLEGE

COLOR PHOTO: TIM BARCUS

COLOR PHOTO: KOEHLER PHOTOGRAPHY/COLUMBUS, OHIO

COLOR PHOTO: MICHAEL COLLOPY