For Immediate Release
Saturday, May 13, 2017
NSIC Elite 18 Award

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Evan Hagen of the University of Sioux Falls was named the 2017 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for men’s outdoor track & field. Hagen was presented the award during the post championship ceremony at the NSIC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which were held the past two days at Sea Foam Stadium on the campus of Concordia University, St. Paul. Hagen becomes the second Cougar to earn the Elite 18 Award this season as he joins Austin Schaffer who won for football last fall. 

Hagen is a sophomore majoring in business administration and holds a 3.97 grade point average. The Shakopee, Minnesota, native ranks sixth in the NSIC in the long jump with a season best leap of 23-3.5 at the Butler-Greeno Dual.  He has also competed in sprints and relays for the Cougars this season. He finished seventh in the long jump at the NSIC Championships with a leap of 22-6.5 inches, scoring two points for the Cougars.

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.