For Immediate Release
Saturday, May 12, 2018
NSIC Elite 18 Award

WINONA, Minn. - Leah Seivert of Augustana University was named the 2018 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for women’s outdoor track & field. Seivert was presented the award during the post championship ceremony at the NSIC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which were held the past two days at Paul Giel Field in Winona, Minnesota. Seivert is the third student-athlete from Augustana earn the NSIC Elite 18 Award, joining Hannah Hankinson (women's golf -2018) and Zach Tuschen (men's indoor track & field -2018).

Seivert is a senior academically majoring in elementary education and holds a 4.00 grade point average. The Sibley, Iowa native finished sixth in the 10000m run with a time of 37:37.88 at this year's championship.  Seivert did not compete in outdoor events in 2017, but was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-American second team in 2016. In 2015 she was named NSIC Newcomer of the Year as well as Central Region Track Athlete of the Year while earning All-American honors in the 5000m and 10000m runs placing fourth in each event at the NCAA Championships. 

As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration during the 2016-17 academic year, 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