Family Toes

LIKE ANY good big brother, Justin Funderburk, the Lancaster ( S.C. ) High kicker, was looking out for his little sister, Anna--who just happens to be his backup. During the Bruins' 26-14 loss to Crestwood on Sept. 2, the senior approached his coach, Johnny Roscoe. "He came to me and said, 'Coach, can Anna kick next if we score?'" Roscoe says. The coach obliged, and Anna made the most of her opportunity, nailing her PAT and making the Funderburks the first brother-sister duo known to score in the same high school game.

It was Justin's idea for Anna, a freshman, to come out for the team in the first place. "During the off-season I kick whenever I have the chance," he says. "Anna didn't have anything to do over the summer, and she's always been good at soccer, so I figured I'd take her with me. She was way better than I thought she would be."

In fact, she now has a leg up in the race to be the Bruins' kicker. Roscoe says the job is hers this week because she's more consistent. "There's competition, but it's friendly," says Anna, who also plays girls' soccer. "I want to live up to Justin and be as good as he is." That's fine with her brother, who says, "If she does better, she deserves it." --Rebecca Sun