Sun Athletes of the Week: Jabe Beard and Marie Muscato

Thursday, April 11, 2002 | 11:02 a.m.

Male Athlete of the Week: JABE BEARD

School: Foothill

Class: Senior

Sport: Baseball

Last week: Beard went 8-for-12 with 13 RBIs in a three-game span to lead the Falcons to victories over Rancho, Valley and Chaparral. Beard also pitched a complete-game five-hitter against the Cowboys, striking out 14 batters and walking none. The third baseman/pitcher drove in five runs against the Rams, then duplicated that feat with five RBIs against the Vikings the next day. "He's a big key for us, right in the middle of our lineup, and the kids in front of him are doing a good job getting on base," Foothill coach Tom Crine said. "He's bigger and strong than last year, so his (pitching) velocity has picked up. He's always had good control, but now he's also pitching a lot smarter."

Female Athlete of the Week: Marie Muscato

School: Green Valley

Class: Junior

Sport: Track

Last week: Muscato matched a Southern Nevada girls record by clearing 11 feet in the pole vault in a home meet against Basic, Durango and the Australian Select Team. Muscato, who also vaulted 11 feet once last season, and her older sister, Michelle ('00), are the only two girls to clear that height in Southern Nevada history. Marie Muscato also tied the Green Valley stadium mark, set by her sister in 2000. "She's just a go-getter. She likes to win and she likes to go hard and push herself," Gators vaulting coach Rob Tilley said. "She told me at the beginning of the week she'd like to tie our stadium mark, and she did it. And I truly believe if we fix a couple of things, she might jump close to 12 this year, which would put her on a national level."