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Arthur Ashe Scholars

10 student-athletes honored as Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars

Ten Connecticut College student-athletes have been honored as 2015 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars by Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine. The honor recognizes undergraduate students of color who have achieved academic and athletic success.

Kaitlyn Cresencia ’15, Ajami Gikandi ’16, Alex Hernandez ’17, Myra Jacobs ’15, Aneeka Kalia ’16, Greg Liautaud ’16, Mike Martinez ’15, Adam Patel ’15, Daniel Sandoval ’15 and Natalie Wenigmann ’17 were all named to the squad.

Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.’s commitment to education, as well as his love for the game of tennis, Diverse Issues in Higher Education invites every college and university in the country to participate in this annual awards program by nominating their outstanding student-athletes. In addition to their athletic ability, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must exhibit academic excellence and community activism. To be honored, students must compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2, and be active on their campuses or in their communities.

“We are extremely proud of this group of student-athletes who have performed in competition, succeeded in the classroom and given back to the local community,” said Fran Shields, the Katherine Wenk Christoffers ’45 Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education at Connecticut College.

Kaitlyn Cresencia '15

Kaitlyn Cresencia ’15, women’s basketball

Cresencia was a key contributor for a Camels squad that qualified for the NESCAC Championship tournament in three of the last four years. The New Providence, N.J.-native, who earned her bachelor’s degree in economics in May, was also a 2014 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar.

“Kaitlyn has been an outstanding student and a dynamic and valuable member of our program,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Brian Wilson. “She has made positive contributions across the Connecticut College community during her four years here in New London.”

Ajami Gikandi ’16 and Daniel Sandoval ’15

Ajami Gikandi ’16 and Daniel Sandoval ’15, men’s soccer

Gikandi and Sandoval both helped the men’s soccer team advance into the semifinal round of the NESCAC Championship tournament for the first time in program history.

Gikandi, who hails from Princeton, N.J., is majoring in biology.

Sandoval, who is from East Windsor, N.J., graduated in May with a degree in biological sciences. He will attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in the fall.

“I am extremely proud of Ajami and Danny,” Head Men’s Soccer Coach Kenny Murphy said. “They are intelligent, conscientious student-athletes who embody the mission of Connecticut College and the standards of this prestigious award.”

Alejandro Hernandez

Alejandro Hernandez ’17, men’s cross country and track & field

Hernandez is a three-sport athlete competing in cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field. The computer science major from Miami, Fla., posted a time of 33:07.19 in the 10,000 meters at the Silfen Invitational April 10 to move into 10th place on the program’s all-time performance list, while also qualifying for the New England Division III Championship.

"We are all very proud of Alejandro for being named a Sports Scholar, as he truly exemplifies the ideals personified by the great Arthur Ashe," Head Men’s Cross Country and Assistant Head Coach of Track & Field Jim Butler said.

Myra Jacobs ’15

Myra Jacobs ’15, women’s squash and women’s tennis

A member of the improving Camels women’s squash team, Jacobs, who hails from West Wardsboro, Vt., gutted out a clutch victory in her final collegiate match against Mount Holyoke College to lead the Camels to a 27th place finish at the College Squash Association National Championship. She received her bachelor’s degree in international relations and economics in May.

“I am so very proud of Myra,” said Head Women’s Squash Coach Ted Childs. “She played two varsity sports, was named to the NESCAC All-Academic Team and was also involved in many areas of the school community in leadership roles.”

Aneeka Kalia ’16

Aneeka Kalia ’16, women’s tennis

A prominent contributor for the women’s tennis team, Kalia studied Indian literature and history at St. Stephen's College in New Delhi, India, this year. Last year, she represented Connecticut College at the NCAA student-athlete leadership conference.

An English and self-designed South Asian studies major, she hails from Southborough, Mass.

Greg Liautaud ’16

Greg Liautaud ’16, men’s hockey

Liautaud accounted for 12 points — five goals and seven assists — as one of the rising stars on the Camels hockey team. The computer science major is from Butler, N.J.

“Greg has established himself as a top defenseman in the NESCAC over the course of his first two seasons at Connecticut College,” said Head Men’s Hockey Coach Jim Ward. “He has the ability to generate offense with quick transition and to get pucks to the net. He is also very involved in Team ImPact and will represent Green Dot as a member of integrated residential life theme housing.”

Mike Martinez ’15

Mike Martinez ’15, men’s hockey

Martinez, a native of Orchard Park, N.Y., scored eight goals while assisting on nine others to close out the season with 17 points.

“Mike’s best season as a Camel was his senior year,” Ward said. “He performed his role on the wing of our shutdown defense in impressive fashion, and he was a key player in our success.”

Off the ice, Martinez, who graduated with a dual major in government and economics, was active with Team ImPact and Project KBA Program (Kids, Books and Athletics). He also worked with New London middle school students and spent a summer working in a research capacity in the College’s Shain Library.

Adam Patel '15

Adam Patel ’15, men’s hockey

This is the third consecutive Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar recognition for Patel, a senior forward on the men’s hockey team. Patel, from Alpharetta, Ga., supplied the game-winning goal in a key road victory at Colby College that helped the Camels clinch home ice for the first round of the NESCAC Championship tournament.

“Adam was a very important part of Connecticut College’s hockey’s most successful year,” said Ward. “Over the course of his career at Conn, he was willing and able to play all three forward positions, and played defense on the power play and at full strength when he was needed. He was a strong teammate in the locker room and on the ice.”

Patel graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Natalie Wenigmann ’17

Natalie Wenigmann ’17, women’s field hockey

Wenigmann, a French and international relations major from Wilmington, Del., contributed a pair of clutch defensive saves in the backfield for a Camels field hockey team that posted key conference wins against Bates and Wesleyan.

“Natalie’s dedication to success in the classroom and focus on her academic goals is fierce,” said Head Field Hockey Coach Chrissy Needham. “In her first two years on campus, she has immersed herself in many academic and community opportunities on campus, including being accepted into the Toor Cummings Center for International Studies and the Liberal Arts (CISLA) this past January. I look forward to seeing more accomplishments from Natalie in her junior and senior years at Connecticut College."

June 2, 2015

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