Week after week, the student-athletes of Morgan State University continue to excel, not only in competition but also in the classroom and beyond. The 'Beneath the Surface Spotlight' provides a glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary student-athletes, revealing the human stories behind their athletic achievements. These individuals are not only exceptional athletes but also outstanding scholars, leaders, and role models for generations to come. 

Cheyenne Washington
Bowling
Class: Graduate Student
Hometown: Pontiac, Mich.
Major: Construction Management 

A 2024 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Bowling All-Academic Team selection, Washington was also named the team's MVP this past season.
 
The Pontiac, Mich. native would help the Lady Bears capture this year's TNBA/HBCU Invitational title, going 11-2 over the three-day tournament. She placed eighth with a total of 928 pins and had a high game of 263 against Livingstone.
 
Washington concluded her senior season leading Morgan State to a 45-44 overall mark and a sixth-place finish in the MEAC. She finished the season ranked in the top 10 in the MEAC in several categories including fourth in traditional format single pin spare % (94.1%), fourth in anchor bowler – 10^th frame scoring average (19.550), fourth in anchor bowler – 10^th frame fill % (82.4%) and sixth in top traditional games after rolling a season-high 278 in the Hawk Classic.

Student Life

• What is the best time of year on campus? I would say the Spring semester because, the weather is starting to warm up, the days are starting to become longer again, and more activities on campus are starting to have large interactions. 
• What is your major and why did you choose it? My major is construction management. I chose it because I want to know more about how construction documents and pieces correlate with architecture. 
• What has been your favorite or most interesting class at MSU? My most interesting class at Morgan has been Building Materials (ARCH 208) it opened my eyes to a whole new set of everyday things that we see and use. The class taught me how they are made and how you can estimate the cost of building a home based on the materials needed. 
• If you had to give an incoming student advice, what would it be? Make sure you do what you love for yourself and not others, because you'll find out that they were doing what they loved the whole time. 
• Describe your first day as a student at Morgan State? I was a little nervous because I didn't have time to get familiar with the campus buildings. I was hot and sweaty, and I found out that I had classes all over campus and ended up walking a lot. 
• What do you like most about Morgan State? I like that there's always something going on around the campus in some aspect.
   

• What is your favorite social media? My favorite social media is TikTok. 
• Would you rather read the book or watch the movie? I would rather watch a movie 
• Favorite TV show? My favorite TV show is The Gilded Age on Max. 
• Favorite book or magazine? My favorite book is "Oh the Places You'll Go," by Dr. Seuss 
• Do you have a favorite celebrity? My favorite favorite celebrity is Lewis Hamilton 
• Favorite music artist? My favorite music artist is J. Cole. 
• Favorite childhood cartoon character? My childhood favorite cartoon characters were Fanboy and Chum Chum. 
• What is the most interesting place you've visited? The most interesting place I visited was Hawaii. 
• Where would you like to visit? I would like to visit Switzerland. 
• Favorite home-cooked meal? My favorite home-cooked meal is pepper steak, with broccoli and white rice. 
• Favorite breakfast cereal as a kid? My favorite breakfast cereal as a kid was Trix.
   

Sports

• When did you start bowling? I started bowling when I was 7. 
• Which team do you most look forward to competing against? I look forward to competing against all the teams because it allows you to find your strengths and weaknesses. 
• Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals? My pregame ritual is praying before the start of every day of every tournament. 
• What is your favorite part about playing your sport? I like the sport because you are the only one in control of your game and you can change it based on how you feel is necessary. 
• What is your favorite athletic memory? My favorite athletic memory is bowling two Baker 300 games with my high school team. 
• What is your favorite professional sports team? I don't have a favorite professional sports team. 
• When you're not at practice, what could someone find you doing? If I'm not practicing someone could find me watching a movie of napping. 
• What do you most look forward to during this upcoming season? I look forward to my new teammates, the improvements in my teammates and my games, and competing. 
• My teammates think I am? My teammates think I am a good captain.
  

• If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? If I were a superhero my superpower would be teleportation. 
• Do you have an interesting nickname? My mom likes to call me Sunshine. 
• What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? The best advice that someone has given me is "You are what you make it." 
• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would change how long I ponder on things and just work on it instead of overthinking. 
• Person you admire the most? I admire my mom the most. 
• Most prized possession? My most prized possession is my thoughtfulness. 
• If you could have dinner with 3 people who would they be? If I could have dinner with 3 people I would have dinner with Megan Thee Stallion, Lewis Hamilton, and Jesus. 
• Your hometown is known for? My hometown is known for GM and the Palace. 
• Early bird or night owl? I am a night owl. 
• Funniest person on the team? Funniest person on the team would be Me. 
• After meeting coach Franklin , you thought...? After meeting coach Franklin I thought, maybe this is the change we needed to be successful. 

Beneath the Surface full list here