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FACES IN THE CROWD

JOHNATHAN GRAY

ALEDO, TEXAS > FOOTBALL

Johnathan, a 5'10", 202-pound senior running back at Aledo High, became Texas's alltime career scoring leader, breaking a record set in 1953, with five touchdowns in a 62--17 win over Keller Timber Creek. A week earlier he set a state record for career touchdowns with four scores in a loss to Lake Travis High. Through Sunday the Texas recruit had 160 TDs and the third alltime national scoring mark (962 points).

MELISSA SANGER

MULLICA HILL, N.J. > SOCCER

Sanger, a senior goalie at La Salle University, led the Explorers to 11 straight shutouts to start the season; they are the only D-I team, men or women, that hasn't allowed a goal this fall. Through Sunday she led the nation in goals-against average with a perfect .000 in just over 1,000 minutes. Her seventh clean sheet of the season, a 2--0 win over Cornell, set school records for season and career shutouts (17, now 21).

EDWARD CHESEREK

KAPKER, KENYA > CROSS-COUNTRY

Edward, a junior at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, set a 5K course record at Holmdel Park (14:53) to win the Shore Coaches Invitational for his second straight course record to open the season. Last fall he broke course records on three New Jersey trails and finished second in the cross-country nationals. In the spring Edward broke the 5K outdoor track nationals meet record while claiming his first national title.

KATIE GEORGE

LOUISVILLE > VOLLEYBALL

Katie, a 5'10" senior setter--outside hitter at defending state champion Assumption High, was named MVP of the Durango Classic in Las Vegas after leading the Rockets to the tournament title. She posted team highs in digs (24), assists (87) and kill percentage (.687) to help defeat four teams for the championship, including a finals sweep of Los Alamitos (25--13, 25--19). Next year Katie will play at Louisville.

STEVEN LONG

LAKE OSWEGO, ORE. > FOOTBALL

Steven, a 5'7", 175-pound senior running back at the state's third-ranked large school, Lake Oswego High, led the Lakers to a 56--46 win over top-ranked Washington large school, Skyline High. He rushed for seven touchdowns and 424 yards on 27 carries, scoring from 36, 71, 48, 75, 73, one and three yards. Through Sunday he was averaging 8.0 yards per carry, and the Lakers were 5--0.

CATHERINE (CICI) BELLIS

ATHERTON, CALIF. > TENNIS

CiCi, a homeschooled seventh-grader, took two straight girls' 12-and-under singles Super National titles this summer, winning the Gold Ball at the clay-court nationals in July and at the hard-court nationals in August, dropping only one set in 14 matches. Ranked No. 1 in the U.S. in her age group, CiCi's back-to-back titles set off a win streak that stands at 25 straight matches through Sunday.

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BADGERS BRIGADOON

Every 50 years or so, a QB comes out of nowhere to lead Wisconsin on a title quest. Russell Wilson's start (including his 14 for 20, 255 yards, 2 TD passes, 1 TD run and 210.1 efficiency against Nebraska) recalls 1962 hero Ron Vander Kelen.

Vander Kelen

Surprise starter as senior, topped Big Ten in passing and led Badgers to near upset of USC in Rose Bowl. Wisconsin finished No. 2 and RVK ninth in Heisman voting.

Wilson

Transferred to Madison for senior year, leads Big Ten in passing, and has Badgers off to 5--0 start and No. 4 ranking and self in middle of Heisman discussion.

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BETTMANN/CORBIS (VANDER KELEN)

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HEINZ KLUETMEIER (WILSON)

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VISUAL SERVICES OF TEXAS (GRAY)

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GREG CARROCCIO/SIDELINE PHOTOS, LLC (SANGER)

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RON JANDOLI/ST. BENEDICT'S PREP (CHESEREK)

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TIM PORCO/SWEET SPOT PHOTOS (GEORGE)

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COURTESY OF THE LONG FAMILY (LONG)

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GORDON BELLIS (BELLIS)