Sun Athletes of the Week: Greg Gifford and Liz Cansdale

Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001 | 11:37 a.m.

Named on Jan. 25, 2001

Male Athlete of the Week: GREG GIFFORD

School: Las Vegas

Class: Junior

Sport: Wrestling

Last week: Las Vegas' 171-pounder helped the Wildcats to a key Northeast Division win over rival Rancho on Thursday, then lifted them to first place in the prestigious 29-team Pine View Invitational in Utah on Saturday. Gifford earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler award for the heavier weights, gaining five victories to improve to 26-0 on the season. "He's really tough on his feet. He hasn't been taken down once," Las Vegas coach Joe LaRocco said. "I knew he would be tough, but I didn't realize he'd be this tough. He's just a buzzsaw."

Female Athlete of the Week: LIZ CANSDALE

School: Bishop Gorman

Class: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Last week: Cansdale, a starting forward, scored 25 and 31 points in pair of games, helping the Gaels to critical Southwest Division victories over Bonanza and Western. On Wednesday, the 5-8 senior contributed 25 points as Gorman blitzed past the Bengals, 76-56, to claim sole possession of first place in the division. Friday night, she tallied a game-high 31 points to lift the Gaels to an easy 82-42 road win over the Warriors. "She's a very quiet scorer," Gorman coach Sheryl Krmpotich said. "You don't even realize it, and all of a sudden she has 30 points. She's been consistent the whole three years I've been here."