Scholar Athletes

GAMBIER, Ohio (June 27, 2007) Two Kenyon athletes have won national awards recognizing excellence in academics as well as sports. Swimmer Elizabeth Carlton was named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Women's At-Large Team. Meanwhile, Yancy Edwards of the Lords football team was chosen as an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar.

Carlton, a biology major from Cheyenne, Wyoming, was one of just three sophomores selected to the national squad. In all, the at-large team (chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America) includes only 45 women representing a dozen different sports.

Carlton produced remarkable numbers in both the classroom and the pool. During her two years at the College, she has earned a 3.97 grade point average. As a swimmer, she played a key role in the Ladies' twenty-first NCAA national championship this March, capturing an individual event title in the 50-yard freestyle and swimming legs in four relays-three of which set Kenyon records.

Edwards, a junior offensive lineman from Newark, Delaware, was one of just 21 players selected to the national college football third team by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine, which established the Sports Scholar awards. Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr., the awards were created to honor undergraduate students of color with outstanding records in academics, athletics, and community activism.

Edwards is a psychology major with a 3.25 grade point average. Anchoring the Lords' offensive line at his tackle position, Edwards helped set a number of team records this year, including total yardage, rushing yardage, rushing touchdowns, and points scored. Edwards was also named to the All-North Coast Athletic Conference team.