1.   After riding himself into top condition in the first two weeks of the Tour, Ullrich looked svelte Friday in the jersey of the world time trial champion.

2.   Earnhardt has been national champion seven times.

3.   In Pro Stock, Jim Yates clinched his initial championship when three-time NHRA champion Warren Johnson fouled against son Kurt Johnson in the first round.

4.   Jacobs was Wimbledon singles champion once and U.S. champion four times.

5.   Since the U.S. was granted one automatic qualification as host country, two-time Olympian and four- time national champion Michael Gostigian was assured of competing.

6.   The Bulls, champions four times in the past six seasons and trying desperately to defend a title won last year, deteriorated Sunday evening in a stunning collapse.

7.   The Rose Bowl had crowned national champions five times before.

8.   The two- time defending champion Rockets are here next Monday, followed four nights later by the Magic.

9.   They are champions three times over, the first Los Angeles team in any sport to complete a three-peat.

10.   Or the fact Irina Slutskaya has been the challenger and Michelle Kwan the champion so many times.