FAIRFAX, Va. – University of Dayton senior Olivia Atkins has been named the 2021 Arthur Ashe Jr. Women's Crew Athlete of the Year.

The annual Ashe edition of Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine is a part of a quarter-century legacy of recognizing outstanding minority young men and women who have distinguished themselves in their academic and athletic pursuits.
 
In addition to their athletic ability, student-athletes named 2021 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5, be at least a sophomore academically, and be active on their campuses or in their communities.
 
Atkins, a Spanish education major from North Barrington, Ill., is a coxswain for the Dayton women's rowing team. Her sophomore season she helped the Flyers advance to the grand final of the 2018 Atlantic 10 Championships in the 2V8+. She also led UD's JV8+ to a bronze medal at the 2019 SIRA Championships.
 
She has volunteered at DECA as a mentor and tutor since she came to Dayton. She was named a 2020 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar and named to the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll and UD Dean's List.
 
Winners in each individual sport category are selected for the annual Ashe edition which come out April 29, 2021.

This year's Sports Winners are (in alphabetical order by sport):
Tyler Williams, California State University San Bernardino, Baseball
Mariah White, Cleveland State University, Basketball (W)
Kamaka Hepa, The University of Texas at Austin, Basketball (M)
Samantha Plaster, Arizona State University, Beach Volleyball (W)
Touri Holmes, Morgan State University, Bowling (W)
Meredith Strickland, Oklahoma State University, Cheerleading
Olivia Atkins, University of Dayton, Crew (W)
Grace Stockton, Oklahoma State University, Dance
Kiratika Ariyamitr, Montgomery County Community College, Esport
Britt Larson-Jackson, Sweet Briar College, Equestrian (W)
Brandon Chien, University of California San Diego, Fencing (M)
Miya Coimbra, University of California San Diego, Fencing (W)
Ingrid Kalwitz Blanco, Sweet Briar College, Field Hockey
D'Eriq King, University of Miami, Football
Samuel Cudjoe, Saint Augustine's University, Golf (M)
Macy Somoskey, University of Mississippi, Golf (W)
Evan Davis, University of Iowa, Gymnastics (M)
Lena Greene, Oregon State University, Gymnastics (W)
Wei Zhong, Arizona State University, Ice Hockey (M)
Sophie Jaques, The Ohio State University, Ice Hockey (W)
Lonnie Jones, Hampton University, Lacrosse (M)
Sarah Cedarstrand, Rutgers University, Lacrosse (W)
Alejandro (Alex) Perez, Loyola University Maryland, Rowing (M)
Olivia Cantrell, George Washington University, Rowing (W)
Isobel Finnegan, Hampton University, Sailing (W)
Paolo Marciano, Adelphi University, Soccer (M)
Chanel Thomas, University of Mississippi, Soccer (W)
Haley Basye, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Softball
Abbas Saeed, George Washington University, Squash (M)
Emils Pone, George Washington University, Swimming & Diving (M)
Willow Lopez-Silvers, Iona College, Swimming & Diving (W)
Victor Ficarra, Penn State Brandywine, Tennis (M)
Savanna Ly-Nguyen, Washington State University, Tennis (W)
Daniel Do, Stockton University, Track & Field/Cross Country (M)
Jessica Drop, University of Georgia, Track & Field/Cross Country (W)
Race Agcaoili, New York University, Volleyball (M)
Gabrielle Calloway, Hampton University, Volleyball (W)
Gabriele Simonti, George Washington University, Water Polo (M)
Riley Agerbeek, San José State University, Water Polo (W)
Anthony Valencia, Arizona State University, Wrestling