George Washington University Athletics
Cruz Named 2024 Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar of the Year Semifinalist
3/19/2024 12:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer
FAIRFAX, Va. – George Washington women's soccer midfielder Elizabeth Cruz has been named a semifinalist for the 2024 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year award.
The award is part of a decades-long tradition of recognizing outstanding, young minority men and women who have distinguished themselves in their academic and athletic pursuits.
Cruz was unable to compete for the Buff & Blue during the 2023 season due to injury, but she's still enjoyed a successful career in Foggy Bottom. Cruz has appeared in 36 career matches, earning 17 total starts. She has two career goals and has logged 1,838 career minutes. Cruz's first career goal came on March 4, 2021, against Delaware State. Her second score came on Sept. 6, 2021 in an A-10 match against Richmond. Cruz has been a steadfast leader for the GW women's soccer program during her four-year career, and her impact on the program and the university reaches well beyond the pitch.
In addition to their athletic ability, those named 2024 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars are students of color who have maintained at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, are at least sophomores academically, and have been active on their campuses or in their communities. Of the nearly 600 scholar-athletes nominated, one male and one female athlete will be selected as Sports Scholar of the Year.
The women semi-finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
Gabi Albiero, University of Louisville, swimming and diving
Jacqueline Azevedo, University of California, Merced, water polo
Elizabeth Cruz, The George Washington University, soccer
Vanessa Deniz, University of Georgia, gymnastics
Natasha Kim, Indiana University, soccer
Charlisse Leger-Walker, Washington State University, basketball
McKenzie Long, University of Mississippi, track/cross country
Ana Morett, Weber State University, tennis
Madison Scott, University of Mississippi, basketball
Olivia Womack, University of Mississippi, track/cross country
This year's finalists for the award will be announced in the coming weeks, with award winners for both the men and women announced on April 25.
The award is part of a decades-long tradition of recognizing outstanding, young minority men and women who have distinguished themselves in their academic and athletic pursuits.
Cruz was unable to compete for the Buff & Blue during the 2023 season due to injury, but she's still enjoyed a successful career in Foggy Bottom. Cruz has appeared in 36 career matches, earning 17 total starts. She has two career goals and has logged 1,838 career minutes. Cruz's first career goal came on March 4, 2021, against Delaware State. Her second score came on Sept. 6, 2021 in an A-10 match against Richmond. Cruz has been a steadfast leader for the GW women's soccer program during her four-year career, and her impact on the program and the university reaches well beyond the pitch.
In addition to their athletic ability, those named 2024 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars are students of color who have maintained at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, are at least sophomores academically, and have been active on their campuses or in their communities. Of the nearly 600 scholar-athletes nominated, one male and one female athlete will be selected as Sports Scholar of the Year.
The women semi-finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
Gabi Albiero, University of Louisville, swimming and diving
Jacqueline Azevedo, University of California, Merced, water polo
Elizabeth Cruz, The George Washington University, soccer
Vanessa Deniz, University of Georgia, gymnastics
Natasha Kim, Indiana University, soccer
Charlisse Leger-Walker, Washington State University, basketball
McKenzie Long, University of Mississippi, track/cross country
Ana Morett, Weber State University, tennis
Madison Scott, University of Mississippi, basketball
Olivia Womack, University of Mississippi, track/cross country
This year's finalists for the award will be announced in the coming weeks, with award winners for both the men and women announced on April 25.
Players Mentioned
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