FACES IN THE CROWD

JOE BRAUN

• Soccer

• Yardley, Pa.

Braun, a junior forward at Tufts, had a goal and two assists in a 3--1 semifinal victory over Rochester, helping the Jumbos take the Division III title. He was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. A first-team All-America, Braun led the team in goals (10) and points (26).

CRUZ CULPEPPER

• Cross-country

• Boulder, Colo.

Cruz, a junior at Niwot High, won the state 4A championship, covering the 5K course in 15:48 while battling a sinus infection. His time was 1:07 better than at last year's finals, when he finished 44th. Cruz's parents, Alan and Shayne, were both two-time Olympians in distance running.

AMANDA HENDRY

• Field Hockey

• Wilton, Conn.

Hendry, a sophomore goalkeeper at North Carolina, made five saves in a 2--0 defeat of Maryland for the NCAA title. An all-tournament selection, she allowed just three goals on 13 shots over four games. Hendry, whose goals-against average of 0.69 led the country, was unbeaten in 23 games.

ISAIAH ORTIZ

• Football

• Albuquerque

Isaiah, a sophomore at Del Norte High, rushed for 430 yards and eight touchdowns on 30 carries in a 70--20 win over Los Alamos in the Class 5-A district title game. His eight TDs were second most in state history. In eight games this year Isaiah gained 1,398 yards on 178 carries and scored 18 times.

JACOB MERCEP

• Water Polo

• Dubrovnik, Croatia

Mercep, a sophomore driver at USC, scored five goals in a 14--12 victory over Stanford for the Division I championship. He was named the tournament's MVP. The Trojans' leader with 62 goals, Mercep played his freshman year at San Jose State, where his 119 points broke the school mark.

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