33 Huskers Named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars

Lincoln – A total of 33 University of Nebraska student-athletes were recognized recently, earning Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar awards for the 2022-23 season.

Nebraska’s 33 honorees, which included 19 females and 14 male honorees, were featured in Diverse Issues in Higher Education. The honorees represent 15 different Husker sports.

To be eligible for the annual Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar awards, diverse student-athletes must have reached at least sophomore standing academically, maintain a cumulative 3.50 GPA, and be active on campus and in the community. All recipients must be undergraduate students.

A total of 18 student-athletes were first-team selections, including eight men and 18 women, while a pair of Huskers were finalists for 2023 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year.

 

Husker swimmer Madesyn Ronquillio was the first runner-up for the women’s award. Ronquillio maintained a 3.83 GPA while pursuing the major of nutrition and health sciences. A team captain, she has been active on the SAAC and the Husker Pantry Student Advisory Board as well as volunteering for numerous community activities.

 

Men’s track and field athlete Micaylon Moore was the second runner-up for the men’s award. Moore has a 3.86 GPA while majoring in biological sciences.  A member of the SAAC, his community outreach has included hospital and school visits, food drives and the Brother2Brother Symposium.

 

The men’s first-team honorees included Sam Phillips (Gymnastics), Moritz Mueller (Gymnastics), Roni Hietaranta (Tennis), Calvin Mueller (Tennis), Nic Wiedenhorn (Tennis), Matthias Algarin (Track and Field), Micaylon Moore (Track and Field) and Till Steinforth (Track and Field).

 

The women’s first-team recipients include Isabelle Bourne (Basketball), Amara Smith Speights (Bowling), Alexis Buchert (Bowling), Martina Comin (Gymnastics), Madesyn Ronquillio (Swimming and Diving), Emily Haimes (Swimming and Diving), Jillian Roa (Tennis), Jamieson Battistella (Track and Field), Lishanna Ilves (Track and Field) and Darby Thomas (Track and Field).

In addition to the 18 first-team selections, Nebraska also had 13 second-team honorees, one third-team member and one student-athlete who was a fourth-team recipient. 

 

Diverse Magazine first established the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar awards in 1992 to honor undergraduate students of color who exemplify the standards set by the tennis legend. A scholar and an athlete, Ashe sought to expand opportunities for young people.

Nebraska’s 2022-23 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars