Faces in the Crowd
Wesley Beschorner
LOHRVILLE, IOWA > Football
Beschorner, a senior quarterback at South Dakota, led the 9-2 Coyotes to their first North Central Conference title since 1978. His 215.2 passing-efficiency rating led the nation (all NCAA divisions), and he is one of three finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the NCAA Division II college football player of the year.
India Trotter
FORT LAUDERDALE > Soccer
Trotter, a junior midfielder at Florida State, scored five goals in the NCAA tournament, the final one tied a game against North Carolina 1-1 that the Seminoles eventually won in a penalty-kick shootout. The victory allowed her team to move on to its second College Cup in the last three years.
Nick Mansfield
ROCKFORD, MICH. > Water Polo
Nick, a senior two-meter offense starter at Rockford High, led the Rams to their third straight overall Michigan championship and a 114-0-1 record over the last three years. He was voted the tournament's most valuable player and the state's player of the year. Earlier in the season he was selected athlete of the week by USA Water Polo.
Katie Smith
COLFAX, N.C. > Volleyball
Smith, a senior middle-hitter at Greensboro College, led the league with 4.5 kills and 1.3 blocks per game and was named the USA South Conference player of the year. In October she became the first Pride player ever to be named American Volleyball Coaches Association player of the week.
Jimmy Holmes
HOUSE SPRINGS, MO. > Soccer
Jimmy, a senior striker at Saint Louis Priory School, scored the only goal in a game that gave his team the state Class 2 championship. The 26-0 Rebels were the first Missouri soccer team to finish unbeaten and untied in 37 years. He was the leading scorer in the St. Louis metropolitan area with 43 goals and was the area's player of the year.
Afton Emich
NICOLLET, MINN. > Football
Afton, a tight end and defensive back at Nicollet Public School, was named co-MVP after her eighth-grade team finished the season 6-1. She led the Raiders with six touchdowns and 26 receptions and also had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. She is the school's first female football player.
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DAVE EGGEN
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FSU SPORTS INFORMATION
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DAVE RACZKOWSKI
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MARK T. MURRAY
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JONATHAN BROWNFIELD
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COURTESY OF NICOLLET PUBLIC SCHOOL