Sun Athletes of the Week: Chris and Greg Gifford and Elizabeth Winkelblech

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002 | 10:23 a.m.

CHRIS AND GREG GIFFORD

School: Las Vegas

Class: Junior (Chris), Senior (Greg)

Sport: Wrestling

Last week: The Gifford brothers captured individual state titles, helping the Wildcats successfully defend their 4A state team championship Saturday at Las Vegas High. Chris took the 171-pound trophy with a 15-7 major decision over Palo Verde's Rusty Worthen, while Greg won the 189-pound crown -- his second individual title in two years -- with an 8-4 decision over Cimarron-Memorial's Rodrick Atwood. "Considering the Giffords know so much about wrestling, they're always incorporating new techniques into their arsenal and always getting better," Wildcats coach Joe LaRocco said. "That's a good example for all these kids."

ELIZABETH WINKELBLECH

School: Green Valley

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Soccer

Last week: Winkelblech, the Gators' starting goalkeeper, helped her team win three games and capture the 4A Sunrise Region title. After shutting out Rancho, 4-0 in round one, Green Valley's goalie starred in a 1-0 win over Eldorado, holding the Sundevils without a goal for 110 minutes and stopping two shots during the decisive shootout. On Saturday, she held Chaparral in check in a 2-1 Gators' victory in the final. "She has saved us in so many situations," Green Valley coach Joe Jablonski said. "She has this game face, and when she turns it on, she's all business."