May 9, 2013 Article from GOBLUERAIDERS.COM

Pair of Raiders named International Student Athletes of the Year

Duo honored by MTSU IDA for their athletic and academic accomplishments
@MTAthletics

photoA pair of Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders were honored as the 2012-13 International Student Athletes of the Year by MTSU's Intercultural and Diversity Affairs at the annual Student Government Association awards banquet. Kate Loye from soccer and Noah Akwu from track & field were recognized for their outstanding contributions.

The award comprises of current MT international student-athletes who make significant contributions to their team and represent Middle Tennessee by their academic achievements and community service.

Loye, a freshman from Hamilton, New Zealand, was voted the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and earned a first team All-Conference selection. Loye was also a Sun Belt Athlete of the Week selection. Prior to her arrival to MT, Loye represented her home country in the U-20 Women's World Cup. Off the pitch, Loye has volunteered her time with various programs including Special Olympics and the MTSU Kid Fest. She is also a solid student with a 3.8 GPA.

Akwu, a senior from Egume, Nigeria, represented his home country of Nigeria in the 2012 Olympics in London by competing in the 200-meter dash. Recently, Akwu placed third in the SBC Indoor Championships 55-meter dash and won the 200-meter title. He was also named the Sun Belt Athlete of the Week on Jan. 16. In the classroom, Akwu holds a 3.0 GPA.

Both Loye and Akwu were honored at the IDA banquet last week and were presented with their awards.