SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse University rising senior Kevyn Scott and 2010 graduate Nana Sang-Bender were named finalists for the 2010 Arthur Ashe Jr. Male and Female Sports Scholar awards. They were among seven Orange student-athletes chosen as 2010 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars, including, Tiffany Macon, Rachel Ogundiran and Lydia Wong of the women's rowing team and Maggie Befort and Martina Loncarica of the field hockey team. The honorees were selected for their athletic and academic achievements. 

The award, which is in its 15th year, was created by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine to honor undergraduate students of color who have made achieving both academically and athletically a winning combination. To be considered for the award, a student must compete in an intercollegiate sport; maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2; and be active on their campuses or in their communities.

Scott, a member of the Orange football squad, holds a 3.41 cumulative GPA and is majoring in information management and technology. The cornerback recorded 22 tackles, including 18 solo tackles, in 2009. He had five passes defended, tying him for the team lead, and had three pass breakups. Scott earned BIG EAST All-Academic Team honors. In January 2009, he was invited by the National Honor Society to attend President Barack Obama's inauguration and conferences where he heard distinguished speakers such as General Colin Powell, NBC reporter Luke Russert and former vice president Al Gore. He was also named to the Arthur Ashe Jr. football first team in 2008-09.

Sang-Bender of the cross country and track & field team was honored by Syracuse University as a 2009 Remembrance Scholar. Last fall, she competed in the BIG EAST Championships, the Terrier Invite, the Upstate Challenge (earning a BIG EAST qualifying time) and the Cornell Relays. Sang-Bender is an international relations major and holds a 3.42 GPA.

Ogundiran and Wong were members of the varsity eight this year that won the Kittell Cup and placed in many other races. Ogundiran is a bioengineering major with a 3.39 GPA, while Wong had a 3.43 GPA and is majoring in environmental engineering major with a 3.43 GPA. Macon sat stroke in the varsity four “F” boat in the Syracuse Fall Invitational this year. She is majoring in health and exercise science and has a 3.22 GPA.

Befort is Syracuse's all-time leading scorer with 105 points and was named to the 2009 All-BIG EAST First Team. She is an environmental engineering major with a 3.28 GPA. Loncarica, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, holds the Syracuse career record with 48 assists. She also earned All-BIG EAST First Team honors in 2009. Loncarica is a nutrition major with a 3.22 GPA.