Rites Of Spring

Between the final strains of One Shining Moment and home-opener kickoffs, most Americans spend the warm-weather months in hibernation from college sports. Yet on rivers, fields, courts and diamonds across the nation, young men and women put their hearts and bodies on the line one more time before their athletic careers become another set of scrapbook memories. As shown in these pictures of NCAA Division I championships, some of the most electrifying moments in amateur sports take place on college campuses during springtime.

Six boats shot forward at the start of the women's varsity eights at Cooper River Park in New Jersey.

Tennis

MEN'S TEAM CHAMPION
Stanford

MEN'S SINGLES CHAMPION
Alex Kim, Stanford

MEN'S DOUBLES CHAMPIONS
Graydon Oliver and Cary Franklin, Illinois

WOMEN'S TEAM CHAMPION
Georgia

WOMEN'S SINGLES CHAMPION
Laura Granville, Stanford

WOMEN'S DOUBLES CHAMPIONS
Amy Jensen and Claire Curran, California

Singles champ Kim (below) kept two fists on the racket, while doubles champ Oliver thrust his in the air.