Indiana University Athletics
Robinson and Smith Named Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars
12/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Student-Athlete Services
May 10, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana track and field sophomores Zakiya Robinson and Ryan Smith were named Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars by the Journal Black Issues in Higher Education. In order to qualify for the honor, a student-athlete must be a significant contributor in their sport and carry a 3.2 cumulative grade point average.
Robinson has competed in the 100m and the 200m, as well as in the long jump this season for the Hoosiers. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native turned in a personal best at the Billy Hayes Invitational on May 5 in the 100m with a fifth-place time of 12.10. Robinson's latest 100m run moved her into second on this season's team-best list. In the 200m, Robinson picked up her best time at the Indiana Relays on April 19. Her 25.23 time in the event made her the third fastest Hoosier this season to compete in the event. Last season, Robinson turned in IU's best mark in the long jump with a leap of 5.77m (18-11.25) at the Pepsi Invite. She bettered that mark this season at the prestigious Penn Relays on April 15 with a jump of 5.86m (19-2.75). Robinson is studying health administration.
Indiana director of track and field Randy Heisler believes Robinson's winning approach to everything she does contributes to her success as a well-rounded student-athlete.
"Zakiya is a young lady who we recruited because she is accustomed to winning," Heisler said. "She is used to success, and in addition to her natural abilities to run and jump well, she is very motivated and has a winning attitude about everything she does. Since she arrived in Bloomington, she has been a real plus for our team."
Smith, a biology and liberal arts and management program major, has competed in the 400m hurdles and a member of the 4x400m relay team this outdoor season for Indiana. The Bloomington, Ind., product turned in a regional-qualifying time in the 400m hurdles at the Indiana Relays on April 19. Smith, who holds the best 400m hurdles time for IU this season, took home first place with a time of 52.35 while punching his ticket to the mideast regional meet in Knoxville, Tenn. Smith competed on two 4x400m relays team that both earned regional times. In the month of April, Smith and the 3x400m relay team turned in qualifying times of 3:09.14 and 3:07.71.
Heisler feels Smith's quiet style of leadership is invaluable to this year's team.
"Ryan, being a local kid, has just blossomed since he has been on the team," Heisler said. "He walked on to the team last season and scored for us in the conference meet and it looks like he is on his way to doing that again this year. He is a quiet young man who leads by his actions and not his words. He is very motivated, hard working and bright. Ryan is an asset to our team in more ways than one."
Academic advisor Jenn Townsend believes both student-athletes are deserving of the Arthur Ashe Jr. award because of their dedication and drive in all that they do.
"I am so proud of both Zakiya and Ryan for being named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars," Townsend said. "They are both a credit to IU Athletics and to the university as a whole. Their dedication to excellence in the classroom and in their sport is unparalleled. They are both especially deserving of this honor because they have challenged themselves to be leaders for their peers by either attending or being nominated to attend the NCAA Leadership Conference. Ryan and Zakiya have strived to be the best that they can be in all areas of their lives and are extremely deserving of this recognition."
