Faces in the Crowd

Author:
SI Staff

Galen Rupp
PORTLAND > Track and Field
Rupp, a senior at Oregon, won the 10,000 meters at the USA Track and Field Championships (27:52.53) after winning the NCAA Division I titles in the 5,000 and 10,000 earlier this spring. The 14-time All-America was also the D-I indoor champion in the 3,000 and 5,000 in '09, and the D-I cross-country champion last fall.

Jennifer Song
ANN ARBOR, MICH. > Golf
Song, a freshman at Southern Cal, won the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship by the largest margin in the event's 33-year history—7 and 6, in the 36-hole match-play final. Song was named the National Golf Coaches Association freshman of the year after placing second at the NCAA Division I championship.

High School Video Face

Gareth Gilna
LOS ALAMOS, N. MEX. > Track and Field
Gareth, a senior at Los Alamos High, was the state Class 4A champion in the 800 meters (1:56.13), the 1,600 (4:12.60, a meet record) and the 3,200 (9:27.35). In becoming the second 4A male athlete to sweep the distance events at the state meet, he helped the Hilltoppers finish second in the team competition.

TO SEE GARETH'S VIDEO, GO TO Takkle.com/videofaces

Drew Burgiss
STATESVILLE, N.C. > Soccer/Tennis
Drew, a senior center midfielder at Statesville Christian, became the school's alltime leader in goals and assists, and was named independent schools all-state Class 1-A for the second season in a row. In six years as a varsity tennis player, beginning in the seventh grade, she won five 1A singles and six doubles titles.

David Wilson
DANVILLE, VA. > Football
David, a senior at George Washington High, rushed for a total of 425 yards and eight touchdowns in three games to help lead Team USA to the inaugural IFAF Junior World Championship. David, who rushed for 2,291 yards and 35 touchdowns for George Washington last fall, was named tournament MVP.

Niki Fernandes
LAYTON, UTAH > Softball/Track and Field
Niki, a senior pitcher at Woods Cross High, earned all-state Class 4A honors after going 12--4 with a 1.31 ERA. In the state tournament she struck out 12 to lead the Wildcats to a 10--3 win over top-seeded Murray. At the state 4A track meet two days later, she won the 100 meters, the 100 and 300 hurdles, and was on the winning 4√ó100 relay team.

Nominate Now on SI.com
To submit a candidate for Faces in the Crowd or to submit a video Face to Takkle.com, go to SI.com/faces

PHOTO

ERIC EVANS

PHOTO

FIGGE PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO

DON TAYLOR

PHOTO

COURTESY OF THE BURGISS FAMILY

PHOTO

COURTESY OF USA FOOTBALL

PHOTO

July 13, 2009