1.   All year long, the Bruins were living with the fame and adulation of being defending national champions.

2.   Allan Wells, as defending champion, had already been selected.

3.   As defending champion, he is expected to reach the final.

4.   Curtis, who admitted to getting some help from doubles partner and defending champion, Ian Schuback, now faces McCann.

5.   Defending champion Malcolm Rigby from Newton-le-Willows is best placed to challenge the leader.

6.   And last on this list but first on the Beverly D. morning line, Charlie Whittingham has defending champion Flawlessly in the Beverly D.

7.   And Sacramento, not the two-time defending NBA champion Lakers, seems to be backing up the smack.

8.   And, yes, that would include defending champion Tiger Woods, who performed some old magic upon the new course.

9.   Anyone who saw Nash at work against defending national champion UCLA on Monday night in the Maui Invitational would have to agree.

10.   Annika Sorenstam is defending champion in that event, which is moving from Wilshire Country Club.