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General Kevin C. Paige, MSU Athletic Communications

Vega Named Individual Sport Winner For Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Awards

BALTIMORE, Md. (April 19, 2022) ⏤ BALTIMORE, Md. (April 18, 2022)-A total of 17 Morgan State student-athletes have been nominated for the 2022 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Awards.

Winners in each individual sport category are also selected for the annual Ashe edition. Senior bowler Natalia Miranda Vega, was named this year's individual sport category winner in bowling. It marks the second consecutive year a Morgan State bowler has earned that distinction.

Last year Touri Holmes, who had reached the top 10 list for Female Sports Scholar of the Year, was named the 2021 individual sport category winner in bowling.
 
"This is an amazing honor for Natalia. It was earned by her consistent dedication to being excellent in everything she does," said Morgan State head coach Tom Falbo. "She always brings her giving personality and ready smile to everyone she interacts with on a daily basis. Much congratulations to her."

The 2022 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Awards are scheduled to be published on April 28 in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine.  
 
"I am extremely proud of Natalia and all of her accomplishments academically, athletically and in the community. She is extremely active on-campus and within the athletic department as she is a member of many programs such as the INSS DELL Mentoring Program and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)," said Chad Allen, Director of Student-Athlete Development."

"It is no surprise that Natalia was selected as this year's winner of the Arthur Ashe Jr Sports Scholar Award based on her commitment to academic excellence and hard work in the classroom as a Information Science and Systems major with a minor in Computer Science (3.9 GPA)." 

"As the Director of Student-Athlete Development and Academic Advisor for Women's Bowling, I have watched Natalia take pride in being ultra competitive with all of her academic endeavors and career aspirations. In my opinion, there is no other person more deserving for this award than Natalia and it has been a pleasure mentoring and advising her along the way."

In addition to their athletic ability, students named 2022 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 – Kluivert Akubuo, Marvin Atuatasi, Treyvon Branch, Dexter Carr, Ahmeen Reese
Women's Basketball – Ja'Niah Henson, Ashia McCalla
Bowling – Aliya Adams, La'Monique Berrios
Softball – Annissa Dorres, Melissa Paz, Cayla Sweazie
Men's Track & Field – Tarique Gooden, Kobe-Jordan Rhooms
Women's Track & Field – Micaela Fleetwood, Michelle Kamara, Miazziah Rose  
 
This year's Sports Winners are (in alphabetical order by sports):
Breonn Pooler, Alabama State University, Baseball                      
Jordan Wright, Vanderbilt University, Basketball (M)                    
Natalie Chou, UCLA, Basketball (W)                
Bailey Hatchett, Georgia State University, Beach Volleyball (W)             
Natalia Miranda Vega, Morgan State University, Bowling (W)                  
Barakah Hassell, Xavier University of Louisiana, Cheerleading (W)
Aidan Spencer, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Crew & Rowing (M)                    
Shelly Sclater, University of Miami, Crew & Rowing (W)                
Carlye Kennedy, Oklahoma State University, Dance (W)              
Kelly Harper, Oklahoma State University, Equestrian (W)            
Andrew Sledeski, New York University (NYU), Fencing (M)                     
Sarah Yoohyun Park, Temple University, Fencing (W)                  
Mia Gordon, Miami University, Field Hockey                        
Nakobe Dean, University of Georgia, Football                     
David Puig, Arizona State University, Golf (M)
Ivana Shah, University of Akron, Golf (W)                 
Donovan Hewitt, Ohio State University, Gymnastics (M)              
Samantha Sakti, UCLA, Gymnastics (W)                    
Sophie Jaques, Ohio State University, Ice Hockey (W)                 
Jeremiah Eaton, Wabash College, Lacrosse (M)                 
Carson Pearson, Kennesaw State University, Lacrosse (W)                    
Aaron Tsuchitori, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Sailing (M)                     
Pablo Vargas, NYU, Soccer (M)             
Cecily Stoute, University of Georgia, Soccer (W)                 
Kinsley Washington, UCLA, Softball               
Jacob Haines, NYU, Swimming & Diving (M)             
Jenna Sanchez, Pepperdine University, Swimming & Diving (W)           
Paula Luis, Ohio State University, Synchronized Swimming (W)                       
Andrei Duarte, Georgia State University, Tennis (M)                      
Lindsey Dixon, Xavier University of Louisiana, Tennis (W)        
Tyler Johnson, Ohio State University, Track & Field (M)             
Gabriela Leon, University of Louisville, Track & Field (W)           
Parker Mikesch, Ohio State University, Volleyball (M)                   
Logan Eggleston, University of Texas at Austin, Volleyball (W)             
Georgia Vargas, Siena College, Water Polo (W)
Aaron Mateo Olmos, Oregon State University, Wrestling                      


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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.     
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Aliya Adams

#26 Aliya Adams

5' 4"
Sophomore
La

#14 La'Monique Berrios

5' 5"
Sophomore
Touri Holmes

#9 Touri Holmes

5' 6"
Senior
Natalia Miranda Vega

Natalia Miranda Vega

Freshman

Players Mentioned

Aliya Adams

#26 Aliya Adams

5' 4"
Sophomore
La

#14 La'Monique Berrios

5' 5"
Sophomore
Touri Holmes

#9 Touri Holmes

5' 6"
Senior
Natalia Miranda Vega

Natalia Miranda Vega

Freshman