MERCED, Calif. - Ten University of California, Merced student-athletes have earned Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards, announced by the EDU Ledger. The Bobcats ten honorees are featured in the EDU Ledger magazine here.

Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Jr.'s commitment to education, the awards honor students of color who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic field. In addition to their athletic ability and academic performance, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars demonstrate a commitment to community service and leadership.

The Bobcats ten award winners are the second most of any NCAA Division II school (Georgian Court).

Women's track's Clarisel Lopez Obeso headlines the Bobcats selections, having been named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year finalist back in April. UC Merced women's soccer's Katy Flores and women's volleyball's Semiramis Tanasescu earn the distinction for the third time in their career.

All of the Bobcats Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars have maintained at least a 3.65 cumulative GPA.

Listed below are UC Merced's 2026 Arthur Ashe Jr Sports Scholars:

Joey Alvarez, Men's Soccer, Jr, Public Health

Leslie Aquino, Women's Track, So, Computer Science & Engineering

Katy Flores, Women's Soccer, Sr, Biological Sciences

Elisa Garcia, Women's Soccer, Jr, Biological Sciences

Sarina Nagra, Women's Basketball, Jr, Political Science

Tangi Netane, Women's Volleyball, So, Management & Business Economics

Joyce Nichet, Women's Track, So, Biological Sciences

Clarisel Lopez Obeso, Women's Track, Sr, Public Health

Semiramis Tanasescu, Women's Volleyball, Sr, Biological Sciences

Yahaira Vazquez, Women's Volleyball, So, Biological Sciences