Ashland University is widely known for its strong Division II athletic programs and their tradition of successful athletes.

AU has seen numerous athletes graduate and continue their careers in professional sport. Women’s basketball player Kari Daugherty graduated and found herself playing for the Lakeside Lightning in Perth, Australia before returning and becoming an assistant coach for the Eagles. Former football star Jamie Meder is currently playing for the Cleveland Browns. 2015 graduate Drew Windle, a track and cross country runner, is competing for Brooks Beasts, a prestigious competitive track club and baseball players Brandyn Sittinger and Art Warren were both picked up in the MLB draft the past two summers.

Along with these athletes who have made a name for themselves in a professional sporting career, there are also graduates from AU who are competing at the Olympic level.

Former football and track and field athlete Carlin Isles was a member of the United States Rugby Sevens team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Joining Isles is former track and field All-American Kibwe Johnson who is representing America in the men’s hammer throw.

“The publicity AU receives from this is tremendous,” said Ashland Athletic Director Al King. “Very few schools this size can boast having a pair of Olympians. Throughout the summer Jud Logan, Lee Owens and I have been fielding questions from a number of large media outlets. They’ve come from all over the United States. Lee just did an interview several weeks ago with USA Today. This kind of visibility is rare and I don’t think you can put a price on it.”

While at AU, Isles was a four-time track and field All-American and continues to hold the school record in the indoor 60-meter run (6.68 seconds). On the football field, Isles was an All-GLIAC selection, holds the school record for most kickoff return yardage in a game (174 yards) and longest kickoff return for a touchdown (100 yards).

He is also said to be the fastest rugby player in the world.

“I distinctly remember Carlin Isles returning a kickoff for the game-winning touchdown against Findlay at Ashland’s Community Stadium,” said King. “ He was small and blessed with exceptional speed. He was an outstanding kick returner and without that return against Findlay we don’t make the NCAA playoffs.”

On Day 1 in Rio, Isles scored a try for Team USA’s Rugby Sevens team in an American win over host Brazil 26-0. In rugby, a try is similar to a goal but worth five points. Grounding the ball into the goal area allows you to score a try.

In its second game of the day, the American’s fell to Argentina in the final seconds of the game although Isles scored a try in the first minute of the second half.

Isles continued to shine through the team’s third match, scoring three trys, equaling 15 points, over Brazil in their 24-12 win.

The United States Rugby Sevens team finished in ninth place in Rio following their 24-12 win over Spain. Isles scored two trys equaling ten points for the USA.

Team USA went 3-2 in the tournament and Isles led his squad with 30 points.

Following his final game in Rio, Isles posted on Instagram and Twitter thanking all of his supporters.

“Blessed!!! Representing Ohio, and anyone who struggled, or have a dream!! Love all the fans and supporters!! The lord Jesus Christ is my story. #olympics #rio.”

Moving from the Rugby field to the track and field, Johnson made his second consecutive Olympic appearance in Rio, after having competed in London, England in 2012.

In London, Johnson placed ninth throwing 74.96 meters.

In the 2016 trials, he improved his distance, placing second after throwing 75.11 meters.

Before graduating Ashland in 2008 Johnson was a three-time national champion in his senior year alone, winning two outdoors and one indoor, in the hammer, discus and weight throw.

Johnson continues to hold the top seven all-time NCAA Division II marks in the men’s indoor weight throw (25.08 meters). He also holds the top nine outdoor men’s hammer throw distances in Division II history (73.77 meters).

Unfortunately Johnson’s second Olympics in Rio ended quickly after he scratched on all three qualifying throws in the hammer and failed to advance to the finals.

After his tough outing, Johnson took to Instagram to apologize to his fans.

“Sorry, folks. No explanation whatsoever. Everything was perfect. Just didn’t happen. This is a tough one to stomach. Even though that was not how I envisioned this chapter going, I appreciate all the love and support so much! You guys are incredible. Thank you. I wouldn’t say I’m at peace with how it played out, but I’m definitely not going to cry about it. There are worse things in life than throwing a 16lb ball a less than desired distance (*sigh* or any distance for that matter), in the biggest global sporting event in the universe. I guarantee the sun will rise tomorrow, and with it I will remain the same goofy, shy, skinny kid at heart with possibly questionable career choices.”

Despite not finishing how he liked, both Johnson and Isles’ appearances in the Rio de Janerio games gives potential AU recruits the idea that they can attend a school at a Division II level, and still obtain big Olympic or professional dreams.

“I believe the publicity that comes from this demonstrates to recruits that you can go to a school the size of Ashland and progress to the biggest stage,” said King. “In recent years we’ve seen AU players in football and baseball move into the professional ranks. Now you see two former AU student-athletes in the Olympics. If you are a recruit looking at potential schools, this affirms that AU can provide an excellent education in a small school setting AND you receive outstanding coaching.

The Ashland Athletic Department has not looked too far into the future of bringing these two athletes back to campus, although they believe it is a possibility worth exploring this school year.