Sun Athletes of the Week: Jason Rogers and Erika Twesme

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000 | 9:33 a.m.

Male Athlete of the Week: JASON ROGERS

School: Bishop Gorman

Class: Senior

Sport: Football

Last week: Rogers scored five touchdowns -- four on the ground and another through the air -- to lead the Gaels to a 56-43 victory over visiting Rancho. Gorman trailed Rancho 22-21 at halftime before the running back took over in the third quarter, pulling down a 10-yard pass from Dyante Perkins for his first touchdown, then rushing for scores of 17 and three yards to put the Gaels in front for good. He added a pair of TD runs in the final quarter to seal the win, finishing with 183 rushing yards. "He's a hard-nosed runner and he's deceptive with his quickness," Gorman coach Roger Whalen said. "We put him a little deeper in the backfield, and he read the defense a lot better from there."

Female Athlete of the Week: ERIKA TWESME

School: Green Valley

Class: Senior

Sport: Volleyball

Last week: Twesme racked up a Gators' season best 14 digs to help Green Valley to its biggest win of the season -- a four-game victory at Durango last Wednesday. "Nothing hit the ground around her," Gators coach Erin Hill said. "That's a huge win for us. Durango is always a top program in town." The outside hitter, one of the squad's co-captains, finished that match with six kills, two blocks and a service ace. Twesme also led the Gators to wins over Valley and Rancho, racking up 14 kills and seven digs. "She had a big week," Hill said. "We were coming off our first loss to Las Vegas in 10 years, and we hadn't been playing well. She stepped up for us, on and off the court."