FACES IN THE CROWD
Mallory Velte | Sacramento | Wrestling
Velte, a senior at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., defeated Desiree Zavala of Grays Harbor College 10--0 at the NWCA All-Star Classic in Princeton, N.J. Velte has gone undefeated for two years and has won back-to-back Women's Collegiate Wrestling Association titles. In 2016 she finished third at the U.S. Olympic trials.
Layton Gallagher | Silverton, Idaho | Football
Layton, a senior running back at Wallace High, rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns in a 29--22 win over Clark Fork and, two weeks later, for 140 yards and three scores in a 50--30 victory over Potlatch High. On the season he ran for 431 yards and six touchdowns, and added 379 return yards. Layton was born without his left hand.
Tia King | Indianapolis | Basketball
King, a senior at Indiana University East, became the first player in school history to reach 2,000 points, when she scored 28 in an 81--58 loss to Marian. King, who is averaging 20.3 points and 6.6 rebounds through seven games, was on the inaugural women's team for the Red Wolves and scored the first basket in the program's history.
Alana Hruska | Marlborough, Conn. | Volleyball
Alana, a 6'3" senior outside hitter at RHAM High in Hebron, had 18 kills in a 3--0 win over Woodstock Academy to lead the Sachems to their second straight Class L state title. On the year she led the team with 600 kills and 99 blocks. Last season the Connecticut Gatorade player of the year had 550 kills and 109 blocks.
Elizabeth Brackett | Chicago | Triathlon
Brackett, a 76-year-old retired Emmy-award-winning newscaster, came in first in her age division at the ITU standard distance triathlon world championship in Rotterdam in September, finishing in 3:15:51. It was her fifth world title, all since 2009. A month earlier she had won the U.S. age-group championship in Omaha, in 3:23:17.
Marcus Martin | West Mifflin, Pa. | Football
Martin, a senior defensive end at Slippery Rock, had 4½ sacks in a 24--9 win over Clarion to bring his career total to 54½, breaking the all-time record for sacks across all divisions. Martin finished the season with 15½ sacks, the most in Division II, and end his career with 56. He also holds the Division II mark for most tackles for loss (92½).
Nominate Now
To submit a candidate for Faces in the Crowd, email faces@simail.com For more on outstanding amateur athletes, follow @SI_Faces on Twitter.
