BOONE, N.C. -- Five Appalachian State student-athletes have been named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars, announced by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
Melany Chong and
Joliana Elias of women's golf,
Amber Daniel of women's track and field,
Isaac Johnson of men's basketball and
Alisha Josey of softball all were honored with the award.
The publication's award program recognizes student-athletes of color who personify Arthur Ashe's ideals of scholarship, athletics achievement and humanitarianism. Student-athletes must have at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 and be active in community service activities.
Chong, a native of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, made big strides in her sophomore campaign at App State. She was a top-10 finisher at the Sun Belt Championship after her final-round 71 pushed her into a tie for 10th. In March, she secured her first individual collegiate tournament title when she won the Low Country Intercollegiate (Hilton Head, S.C.) with a 3-over-par 147 (73-74).
Elias, a junior from Jamestown, N.C., was a team leader for the Apps in 2017-18. For the second straight year, she was named to the Sun Belt Women's Golf All-Tournament team after tying for fifth at the league championship in Sandestin, Fla. She posted three top-10 finishes and was the top Mountaineer on the leaderboard at five 2017-18 tournaments.
Daniel, a senior from Greensboro, N.C., posted a 10th place finish in the weight throw at the Sun Belt Indoor Championships and also finished 14th in the shot put. During the outdoor season, she set new PR's in both the shot put (41-8.00) and hammer (159-4) at the Mountaineer Outdoor Meet in Boone on April 28.
Johnson, a sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., recorded a strong sophomore season, leading the Mountaineers in rebounding at 8.4 rebounds per game and in double-doubles with four. In all, Johnson pulled down 277 total rebounds on the season, which ranked third in the Sun Belt.
Josey, a native of Garner, N.C., has led the Mountaineers in the outfield this season. She has started all 49 games for App State and is currently batting .313 with a team-high 46 hits. She also leads the team with 30 RBI's and 12 doubles, to go along with seven home runs and a .537 slugging percentage, both of which are second on the Mountaineers.
