ROSS TAYLOR

daily life: sports

Dressed as a cheerleader, David Miller "adjusts" himself before a school photographer takes a team portrait for their annual "Powderpuff" football game. The Powderpuff game is where the girls dress as football players and participate in the game, while the boys dress as cheerleaders and root them on.
   
Trinity College's Kent Graham (6) rolls off a pile of teammates as they erupt with excitement after they won the championship game in the NCAA Division III New England Regional Tournament against Eastern Connecticut State University. Trinity won 5-4.
  
Rick Brainerd, 37, of Rocky Hill, is a member of the Hartford Wanderers rugby team - here he practices with the others at Colt Park in Hartford. The Wanderers were founded in the 1960's.
     
  
Steve Samuels is The Hartford Courant's boys basketball most valuable player of the year. Samuels played for the Windsor High School team.
   
Travis McNamara is The Hartford Courant high school Swimmer of the Year for the All-State section. Here he poses for a portrait in Pomperaug High School's pool where he attends. McNamara, 18, will to attend Princeton University next year and will swim on their team.
   
North Carolina Central University football players DeLeon Raynor, (28) left, and Jamar Neely dive for a loose ball during their victory over N.C. A &T during the Aggie-Eagle Classic at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. NCCU won 33-30. At bottom is Aggies' Douglas Brown.
     
  
Korea Price paces along his dugout while waiting for his turn to bat during one of his team's Little League baseball games in Durham, North Carolina.
   
Jen Stephens, center, who won gold, tries to cheer up Karsondra Shambley, who won silver, during an awards ceremony at the Special Olympics Connecticut Winter Games. The awards ceremony was for speed skating. At right is Maria Garcia who took bronze. The event was held at the International Skating Center of Connecticut.
  
Duke's Lindsey Harding and Stephen F. Austin's Kirby Killingsworth, left, fight for a loose ball at Cameron Indoor Stadium during a regular-season basketball game.
     
  
Victor Maldonado, 19, rests while working out at the San Juan Center Sports in Hartford. Maldonado is from Hartford and works out in the afternoon, when the center has a program for area youth. The center provides an alternative for youth other than hitting the streets in the afternoon. "We're here for the community, if anyone needs help, we're here," said Andrea Montero, who is the assistant director for the center.
  
Former NCCU basketball player Fatima Bah consoles Tiona Beatty (20) after their loss in the championship game of the CIAA tournament in Raleigh, N.C. At right is Connie Murdoch (40).
   
Little League player Taylor newton shows his emotion after striking out in his game in Durham, North Carolina.