Courtesy of Morgan State Athletic Communications
BALTIMORE, Md. -- A total of 23 Morgan State student-athletes have been nominated for the 2021 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Awards.
The 2021 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Awards are scheduled to be published on April 29 in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine.
Winners in each individual sport category are also selected for the annual Ashe edition. Senior bowler Touri Holmes, who had reached the top 10 list for Female Sports Scholar of the Year, was named this year's individual sport category winner in bowling.
"This is no surprise to me or anyone at Morgan who knows Touri Holmes. She exemplifies what attitude to have and what action to be taken to make the most of the student-athlete experience," Morgan State head bowling coach Thomas Falbo said. "She leads by example and accomplishment in the classroom, in the campus community and on the lanes. She truly earned this well-deserved honor."
In addition to their athletic ability, students named 2021 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5, be at least a sophomore academically, and be active on their campuses or in their community.
Past Ashe scholars include Baylor University's Robert Griffin III (2011); the University of Tennessee's Kara Lawson (2003); San Diego State University's Marshall Faulk (1993); and Stanford University's Simone Manuel (2017), a four-time Olympic medalist — just to name a few who have gone on to achieve great success.
Morgan State Nominees (by sport)
Football – Dexter Carr, Devan Hebron, Shimano Dendoe
Men's Tennis – Sebastian Lopez, Nihit Rawal, Oguzhan Ceylan, Serhii Kharchev
Women's Basketball – Ja'Niah Henson, Ashia McCalla, Dahnye Redd
Bowling – Aliya Adams, Touri Holmes
Softball – Melissa Paz, Maya McIntyre, Cayla Sweazie
Women's Tennis – Jourdan Wallace, Ana-Lei Kalawe-Edwards
Women's Track & Field – Micaela Fleetwood, Alliayah Ottley, Ayanna Henry, Jaida West
Volleyball – Melanie Battle, Tylar Roberson
This year's Sports Winners are (in alphabetical order by sports):
Tyler Williams, California State University San Bernardino, Baseball
Mariah White, Cleveland State University, Basketball (W)
Kamaka Hepa, The University of Texas at Austin, Basketball (M)
Samantha Plaster, Arizona State University, Beach Volleyball (W)
Touri Holmes, Morgan State University, Bowling (W)
Meredith Strickland, Oklahoma State University, Cheerleading
Olivia Atkins, University of Dayton, Crew (W)
Grace Stockton, Oklahoma State University, Dance
Kiratika Ariyamitr, Montgomery County Community College, Esport
Britt Larson-Jackson, Sweet Briar College, Equestrian (W)
Brandon Chien, University of California San Diego, Fencing (M)
Miya Coimbra, University of California San Diego, Fencing (W)
Ingrid Kalwitz Blanco, Sweet Briar College, Field Hockey
D'Eriq King, University of Miami, Football
Samuel Cudjoe, Saint Augustine's University, Golf (M)
Macy Somoskey, University of Mississippi, Golf (W)
Evan Davis, University of Iowa, Gymnastics (M)
Lena Greene, Oregon State University, Gymnastics (W)
Wei Zhong, Arizona State University, Ice Hockey (M)
Sophie Jaques, The Ohio State University, Ice Hockey (W)
Lonnie Jones, Hampton University, Lacrosse (M)
Sarah Cedarstrand, Rutgers University, Lacrosse (W)
Alejandro (Alex) Perez, Loyola University Maryland, Rowing (M)
Olivia Cantrell, George Washington University, Rowing (W)
Isobel Finnegan, Hampton University, Sailing (W)
Paolo Marciano, Adelphi University, Soccer (M)
Chanel Thomas, University of Mississippi, Soccer (W)
Haley Basye, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Softball
Abbas Saeed, George Washington University, Squash (M)
Emils Pone, George Washington University, Swimming & Diving (M)
Willow Lopez-Silvers, Iona College, Swimming & Diving (W)
Victor Ficarra, Penn State Brandywine, Tennis (M)
Savanna Ly-Nguyen, Washington State University, Tennis (W)
Daniel Do, Stockton University, Track & Field/Cross Country (M)
Jessica Drop, University of Georgia, Track & Field/Cross Country (W)
Race Agcaoili, New York University, Volleyball (M)
Gabrielle Calloway, Hampton University, Volleyball (W)
Gabriele Simonti, George Washington University, Water Polo (M)
Riley Agerbeek, San José State University, Water Polo (W)
Anthony Valencia, Arizona State University, Wrestling