ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

BOYS

Shaun Avalos

SCHOOL: Sylmar

SPORT: Football

YEAR: Senior

SEASON AT A GLANCE: Sylmar’s first four-year letterman rarely misses a snap. He punts, kicks, is the up-man on punt returns and starts at wide receiver and free safety. Avalos, 6 feet 1 and 185 pounds, leads the region with 11 interceptions and has scored 111 points. He also has 46 catches for 738 yards and seven touchdowns.

WEEK AT A GLANCE: Against Canoga Park in a City Section 4-A Division first-round playoff game, Avalos showed his versatility. He intercepted three passes--returned one 75 yards for a touchdown--caught a 22-yard touchdown pass, converted the seven extra-point kicks he attempted and booted a 65-yard punt.

GIRLS

Elaine Canchola

SCHOOL: Nordhoff

YEAR: Senior

SPORT: Cross-Country

SEASON AT A GLANCE: Canchola followed a track season that included school records of 4:55.07 in the 1,600 meters and 10:45.84 in the 3,200 with an undefeated cross-country campaign that featured victories in the Ventura County and Southern Section Division IV championships.

WEEK AT A GLANCE: Canchola won the Division IV title on Saturday by clocking 18:39 over the three-mile course at Mt. San Antonio College. The victory made her the first runner--to win four consecutive section titles. The first two came at the Division III level in 1994 and ’95. “It’s pretty exciting to be the first person to achieve that.”