Athletes of the Week: Gan, Kuesis rise up to lead teams

George Kuesis, San Marcos water polo.

George Kuesis sparked San Marcos to a 7-6 win over Santa Barbara.

Julia Gan, Cate School tennis.

Julia Gan led Cate to a pair of CIF tennis playoff wins.

George Kuesis and Julia Gan rose to the occasion to lead their respective teams to big wins last week.

Their performances have earned them Athletic of the Week honors from the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table.

Kuesis scored three goals and played outstanding defense, helping the San Marcos water polo team to a tense 7-6 win over Santa Barbara High, giving the Royals a share of their second straight Channel League title. The victory snapped Santa Barbara’s 20-game win streak.

Gan sparked Cate’s tennis team to a pair of CIF playoff victories in Division 2. She scored a tiebreak win over Oak Park’s No. 1 singles player en route to three set victories in a 12-6 second-round triumph. Earlier, she won three sets to lead the Rams to a first-round victory over Trabuco Hills.

The other candidates considered for the awards include Kendra Carr (SBCC water polo), Mackenzie Richards (SBCC water polo), Shannon Friend (SBCC volleyball), Carolin Chang (SBCC golf), Brent Peus (Santa Barbara High football), Jack Palmer (San Marcos water polo), AV Bennett (Bishop Diego football), Pierce O’Donnell (Laguna Blanca football) and Hunter Clark (Dos Pueblos cross country).