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Final round: Rodney Purvis and Julius Randle vie for the 2011-12 ESPNHS Fans' Choice award.

Breaking records held by Jim Ryun helps Alan Webb to the ESPN RISE Track Athlete of Decade honor, write Dave Devine and Steve Underwood

Sure, college football recruits make decisions based on academics, program strength and available playing time. But if you think team colors, brand sponsorship and fan support don't factor into the equation, you're wrong.

Every couple of months, usually after a good result from a non-U.S. college thrower, message boards will light up with anonymous posters berating these athletes for their age, the "personal" or "national" coaches, the scholarships they steal that cos...