For Immediate Release
Friday, November 4, 2016
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award

MInot, N.D. – Andrea Franco of Minot State University was named the 2016 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for women’s soccer.  Franco was presented the award during the pregame of the Minot State vs. Augustana semifinal soccer match at the NSIC Tournament, which is taking place at Herb Parker Stadium in Minot, North Dakota. Franco joins Raissa Hansen (Women's Cross Country) of Winona State University and Grant Pulver (Men's Cross Country) of the University of Minnesota Duluth as recipients of the NSIC Elite 18 Award. 

Franco is a sophomore majoring in art and holds a 4.0 grade point average.  The Long Beach, California native has started 17 matches for the Beavers this season, recording one goal on 14 shots on goal from her defener position. 

As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration, the NSIC Elite 18 Award was instituted to recognize the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the NSIC Championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The NSIC Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NSIC’s 18 Championships.

Selection Criteria
1. Academically the student-athlete has achieved at least a sophomore status as defined by his or her own institution.

2. Athletically the student-athlete is in his or her second year of competition at his or her current institution.

3. Athletically the student-athlete is an active member on the roster and a member of the designated squad size for the sport at the championship site.

4. A student-athlete may win the award only once per academic year even if she or he participates in more than one sport.

5. Grade point average is based on the cumulative grade point average at the time of nomination as calculated by each institution. Grade point average calculations will be based on a 4.00 scale and will be reported to two decimal places.

6. In the event of a tie based on grade point average, the award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest total number of credit hours earned.

7. If a tie still exists after looking at the total number of credit hours earned, all student-athletes who are tied shall be presented with the NSIC Elite 18 Award.

For more information on the Elite 18 award winners, log on to: http://northernsun.org/Elite18