For Immediate Release
Saturday, October 21, 2017
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award

MOORHEAD, Minn. – Sasha Hovind of Northern State University was named the 2017 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for women’s cross country.  Hovind was presented the award during the post championship ceremony at the NSIC Cross Country Championships, which were held Saturday at the Moorhead Soccer Complex in Moorhead, Minnesota. This is Hovind's second NSIC Elite 18 honor as she also earned the award for women's indoor track & field last season.   

Hovind is a senior majoring in elementary education and holds a 4.00 grade point average.  The Stirum, North Dakota native was the 2014 NSIC Cross Country Champion, finished third in 2015 and was fourth at this year's championship with a time of 21:15.1.  Hovind also earned the 2017 Willis R. Kelly Scholar-Athlete Award for Academic Excellence from the NSIC last season. 

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.