11.   Better to have a respected incumbent in place to defend the office than to have to compete as one of a crowded field of aspirants for an open seat.

12.   Both avid fans of the show, they competed as teammates in a regional audition in May in Boston.

13.   Both competed as triathletes and later cyclists when they were growing up in Plano.

14.   A close friend competed as a Little Leaguer through high school.

15.   After graduating from the University of North Carolina, where she competed as a gymnast, she needed another outlet for her athletic drive.

16.   Afraid of burning out, Ward decided to turn pro rather than spend another summer competing as an amateur.

17.   Alioto sought to show that Hearst believed it could compete as an independent paper, and that shutting The Examiner to buy the Chronicle was an antitrust violation.

18.   But analysts predicted that Ciena would have a tough time competing as an independent company.

19.   But Engquist, still competing as Narozhilenko, strained a hamstring in the preliminary rounds and withdrew from the semifinals.

20.   But Coach Andra was standing there, telling her and all the other kids that Frank was going to compete as a team member.