For Immediate Release
Friday, February 10, 2017
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award

ROCHESTER, Minn. – Erica Ellstrom of Minnesota State University, Mankato was named the 2016-17 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for women’s swimming & diving.  Ellstrom was presented the award during the senior recognition, which took place just prior to the start of the final events of the NSIC Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, which were held the past four days at the Rochester Recreation Center in Rochester, Minnesota.  Ellstrom is the sixth student-athlete from the NSIC to earn this award in its first year, and the first Maverick to take home the honor. 

Ellstrom is a sophomore majoring in recreation, parks & leisure services and holds a 4.0 grade point average.  The Mankato, Minnesota native has finished 19^th in the 1000 yard freestyle, 20^th in the 500 yard freestyle and was part of the 800 freestyle relay that finished sixth at the NSIC Championships.  

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