Original Issue

Faces in the Crowd

Author:
Alexandra Fenwick

Kasen Williams

SAMMAMISH, WASH. > Track and Field, Football

Kasen, a senior at Skyline High, swept the high jump (6'10"), long jump (24' 5¼") and triple jump (50' 9¼" for a state record) at the 4A state meet. A wide receiver, he holds school records in receptions (236), receiving yards (4,161) and touchdowns (56) and was named the Parade All-America player of the year. He will play football for Washington in the fall.

Kristi Marks

APEX, N.C. > Lacrosse, Volleyball

Kristi, a senior attacker and co-captain at Apex High, had 46 goals and 45 assists to lead the Cougars to an undefeated record (20--0) and the state title. Last fall, as a setter and co-captain, she led the volleyball team in assists (538) en route to a 27--0 record and a state title. She was voted most valuable female athlete for her school and will play lacrosse at Robert Morris next year.

Steve Johnson

ORANGE, CALIF. > Tennis

Johnson, a junior at USC, won his 35th straight singles match (4--6, 6--2, 6--1 over Tennessee's Rhyne Williams) to become the NCAA singles champion less than a week after being named most outstanding player in the Trojans' successful run to their third straight NCAA team title. The Pac-10 player of the year, he is ranked No. 1 in men's college tennis.

Emily Dicus

TOPEKA, KANS. > Swimming

Emily, a senior at Topeka West High, broke her own records at the Class 5-1A state meet with a 1:48.33 time in the 200-yard freestyle and a 49.25 performance in the 100-yard free, becoming the first Kansas girl to break 50 seconds in the event. Emily also owns state marks in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke. Next year she will swim for Virginia.

Brian Karalunas

DEWITT, N.Y. > Lacrosse

Karalunas, a senior long stick midfielder and team captain at Villanova, led the nation in caused turnovers per game (4.38), setting a Wildcats career record (153). An All-America selection and two-time Big East defensive player of the year, he graduated with a 3.94 GPA as a philosophy major and was awarded the Lowe's Senior Class Award for scholar-athletes.

Loreal Curtis

HOUSTON > Track and Field

Loreal, a senior at Lutheran South Academy, won her fourth straight pair of Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools 4A state titles in the 200 (25.97) and 400 meters (56.46, breaking her own meet record). At the same meet, she added a silver in the triple jump and a gold in the 100-meter dash (12.38), for nine career event titles. She will compete for DePaul next year.

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ALEX TROYER (WILLIAMS)

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COURTESY OF THE MARKS FAMILY (MARKS)

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USC SPORTS INFORMATION (JOHNSON)

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