June 19, 2009

Fairfax, Virginia - Texas State University had 13 student-athletes chosen as Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars for 2009, including three First-Team honorees in Heather Martinez, Michael Rutledge and two-time First-Team recipient Travis Houston.

Andrea Giraldo, Alex Newton, Sara Olayiwola and Veronica Rodriguez all received honors for the second-straight year, as well.

Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.'s commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis, the annual award is given to student-athletes that excel as sport scholars. In addition to their athletic ability, the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar must exhibit academic excellence and community activism.

Houston, who is pursuing a degree in Computer Information Systems, holds a cumulative 3.75 GPA while preparing for his senior season with the Texas State football team.

Teammate and December 2008 graduate Rutledge carries a 3.67 GPA while working on his Masters Degree in physical education. Martinez, an exercise and sports science junior, holds a 3.95 GPA while competing for Texas State's track and field team.

Joining the first-team selections and multiple-year award winners for 2009 are Alvaro Garcia, Christine Brijalba, Kristina Tello, Amanda Alvarado, Jiovana Martinez and Jamie Whiteside.

A complete list of the student-athletes, along with their respective sports and GPA's are listed below.

To be included, a student of color must compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 and be active on their campus or in their community.

Heather Martinez Jr. 3.95 Exercise & Sports Science Track & Field 1st Team Travis Houston Jr. 3.75 Computer Information Systems Football 1st Team Michael Rutledge Sr. 3.67 Masters - Physical Education Football 1st Team Alvaro Garcia So. 3.46 Criminal Justice Football 2nd Team Christine Brijalba Sr. 3.29 Psychology Women's Golf 2nd Team Alex Newton Sr. 3.39 Interdisciplinary Studies - Special Ed. Softball 2nd Team Andrea Giraldo Jr. 3.57 Management Women's Tennis 2nd Team Kristina Tello Jr. 3.33 Management Softball 3rd Team Amanda Alvarado Jr. 3.33 Exercise & Sports Science Women's Tennis Honorable Mention Jiovanna Martinez Jr. 3.24 Nutrition & Foods Track & Field Honorable Mention Sara Olayiwola Sr. 3.25 Finance Track & Field Honorable Mention Veronica Rodriguez Sr. 3.27 Health and Fitness Management Track & Field Honorable Mention Jamie Whiteside So. 3.29 Psychology Track & Field Honorable Mention